The Sensitivity of Fish ATPases to Polychlorinated Biphenyls*

In spite of widespread concern about the possible hazards of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), little is known about the action of these materials. We have therefore examined the in vitro (1, 2) and in vivo (3) effects of PCBs on the adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) enzyme system. We have found some effects which are similar, yet distinctive, to chemically related compounds of the DDT type. A background of earlier research with DDT and closely related chemicals has shown the greatest inhibition on Mg2+ATPase and less on Na+-K+ATPase (4-7). Subsequent research showed that mitochondrial Mg2+ATPase of fish and insects was most sensitive to DDT (8). The results from testing several PCBs on the ATPase enzyme system are presented in this manuscript.