The Effects of Copper and Copper Blocking Agents on Gill Mitochondrial O(2) Utilization of Crassostrea virginica

While essential in trace amounts, excess copper is toxic to cells and tissues. Copper is a major aquatic pollutant. Previously, our lab demonstrated that tissues of the bivalve mollusc Crassostrea virginica readily accumulated copper and other metals from their surrounding environment. In this study we showed that O(2) consumption in isolated gill mitochondria of C. virginica was impaired by in vitro copper additions and that copper's deleterious effects on mitochondria respiration could be blocked by the presence of the membrane channel blocker Diltiazam.