Description:
The colonization, and consequently the clogging
or fouling, of water intakes by zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha)
is so severe that "The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service forecasts $5 billion
in losses over the next decade to manufacturing, power, and municipal water
intake facilities that use Great Lakes water." Concern has been raised
over the use of copper-based and tin-based compounds as anti-foulants as they
are generally toxic to aquatic life. Alternative anti-fouling approaches are
needed.
Objective:
The objectives of this proposal are to: 1) Measure
the anti-fouling efficacy of natural and synthetic small molecules with tyrosine-based
chemical structures; 2) Determine the ability of these compounds to prevent
the formation of DOPA-containing "glue proteins" in zebra mussel (Dreissena
polymorpha) adhesive plaques; 3) correlate the anti-fouling and "glue
protein" forming properties of these compounds with their tyrosine hydroxylase
inhibiting activity. Our hypothesis is that small tyrosine-based molecules will
be efficacious zebra mussel anti-foulants.
Approach:
Our approach will be to test for zebra mussel anti-fouling
activity using a zebra mussel reattachment bioassay and to correlate the anti-fouling
efficacy of small tyrosine-derived molecules with their ability to both inhibit
tyrosine hydroxylase activity and to prevent the formation of DOPA-containing
glue proteins.
Expected Results:
The expected results are that small tyrosine-based
molecules from synthetic and natural sources will be efficacious zebra mussel
anti-foulants. In addition, we anticipate a positive correlation between anti-foulant
properties and the ability to inhibit both the formation of DOPA and tyrosine
hydroxylase activity. This research on the potential molecular mechanisms of
zebra mussel anti-fouling agents should help to usher in a new generation of
zebra mussel anti-foulants, and it may help to explain the general biology of
anti-foulant strategies utilized by a wide range of aquatic species. Understanding
the principles of naturally-occurring anti-fouling strategies may provide highly
specific and environmentally-friendly ways of combating zebra mussel infestations.
Supplemental Keywords:
aquatic science, biology, central, zoology, industry, biofouling, environment-friendly.
, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Analytical Chemistry, Ecological Indicators, Ecology and Ecosystems, Ecosystem Protection, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Environmental Chemistry, Fate & Transport, Genetics, Geochemistry, exploratory research environmental biology, aquatic ecology, aquatic ecosystems, aquatic habitat, bioassay, biofoulfing, chemical ecology, chemical kinetics, contaminant transport models, ecological effects, ecosystem assessment, ecosystem management, fate and transport
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