Observations on the effects of copper on the liver proteome of Puntius javanicus based on the
one dimensional PAGE was carried out. The liver was dissected from each fish, which was
separately treated with different concentrations of copper sulfate ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 mg/L.
The livers were extracted and one dimensional PAGE was performed under nonreducing
(native) and reducing (SDS)-PAGE. Several bands were resolved in the native PAGE with
probable candidates for the effect of copper observed showing an increased in the expression
and downregulation strongly associated with increasing copper concentrations. This study
showed that high concentrations of copper significantly alters P. javanicus liver at the proteome
level, and preliminary screening based on one dimensional PAGE is considered rapid and
simple to assess the toxicity effect of copper before more advanced and extensive assesment
with a second dimensional PAGE is carried out.
Investigation on in vivo effects of copper (Cu) on the ultrastructure of P. javanicus liver was
carried out using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The addition of sublethal
concentration of 5 mg/L of Cu caused abnormalities on the bile canaliculi (BC) including
dilation and elongation compared to control and at lower concentrations of copper with a normal
round shape form. Findings from this study support an alternative histological assessment of the
effects of Cu concentration on P. javanicus liver.