The effects of pesticides and their breakdown products on membrane fluxes is a subject of interest in assessing the potential ecological impact of these substances. As part of a continuing program we have examined the effects of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and paranitrophenol (PNP) on divalent cation and primary amine losses from and glycine uptake by gills of the bivalve molluscs Anodonta californiensis (fresh water) and Mytilus californianus (marine). Both 2,4-D and PNP reduce glycine influx into gills of M. californianus. This observation is consistent with the view that glycine is bound to the gill surface as a Mg2+ complex prior to active transport. For gills of A. californiensis, Ca2+ and Mg2+ losses are increased [...]
