Effects of Environmental Stress on Redox Capacity in Lake Trout

Author: Banshika Mangal

Field of Study: Biochemistry

Faculty Mentors: Katie Edwards

Easel: 12

Timeslot: Midday

Abstract: Maintaining redox balance protects the cell from stress and degenerative pathologies. The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) and the glutathione pathways regulate cellular redox through glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), which generates NADPH, and glutathione reductase (GR), which generates NADP+. It was hypothesized that Salvelinus namaycush, or lake trout, from different regions of Lake Ontario (Grimsby, Amherst, and Eastern), would exhibit regional specific differences in G6PDH and GR activity as indicators of oxidative stress. Trout liver tissue was analyzed using spectrophotometric assays at 340 nm, with enzyme activity normalized to total protein concentration. Grimsby trout showed significantly higher G6PDH activity than Eastern, indicating higher NADPH-generating capacity. GR activity was similar between the three different regions, suggesting the two enzymes are affected by environmental factors differently. Ongoing studies with NADPH and glutathione redox balance are underway to further investigate environmental effects on these lake trout, effects which can potentially be translated to other species.