Metabolism and Defluorination of Fluoroacetate in the Brush-Tailed Possum (Trichosurus Vulpecula)

Abstract

The brush-tailed possum (T. vulpecula) from Western Australia was found to be nearly 150 times more resistant to fiuoroacetate intoxication in vivo than the same species from South Australia. Acetone powder preparations from the liver of animals from both populations showed similar abilities to convert fiuoroacetate into fiuorocitrate. Aconitate hydratase activity in liver preparations from both Western Australian and South Australian animals was similarly and competitively inhibited by fiuorocitrate. Both animals were capable of defiuorinating fiuoroacetate at similar rates by a glutathione-dependent enzymic mechanism resulting in the formation of free fiuoride ion and S-carboxymethylcysteine. Glutathione was also capable of partial protection against the toxic effects of fiuoroacetate in vitro by a further unelucidated mechanism.

The role of biomarkers in environmental assessment (4). Terrestrial plants

“…Therefore, once more genetic differentiation makes it necessary to determine first the adaption level not only of plants, but also of microorganisms and animals. Due to an associated co-evolution of herbivores to fluoroacetate-bearing vegetation, populations of the brush-tailed possum in Western Australia are nearly 150 times more resistant to fluoroacetate than populations in Southern Australia (Mead et al 1979). The indicate power of a unique biomarker is diminished by adaptation.…”

Noninvasive Demonstration of In Vivo 3‐Fluoro‐3‐Deoxy‐D‐Glucose Metabolism in Rat Brain by 19F Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: Suitable Probe for Monitoring Cerebral Aldose Reductase Activities

“…Two enzymatic systems capable of dehalogenating fluoroacetate have been characterized in mammals, namely, glutathione S-transferase and fluoroacetatespecific defluorinase (Mead et al, 1979;Soiefer and Kostyniak, 1984). In addition, the P450 cytochrome oxidation system has been shown to be responsible for the defluorination of enflurane (Burke et al, 1981).…”

Opposition to aerial 1080 poisoning for control of invasive mammals in New Zealand: risk perceptions and agency responses

“…Sub-lethal doses of 1080 are metabolized and excreted by mammals within 8Á 24 h (e.g. rabbits, possums, sheep, goats, mice) with few, if any, long-term effects (Mead et al 1979;Eason et al 1994a;Gooneratne et al 1994Gooneratne et al , 2008. 1080 is not detected in their tissues after about 7 days (Eason et al1994b).…”