Accumulation of cadmium and induction of its binding protein in the digestive tract of fleshfly (Sarcophaga peregrina) larvae.

The larva of Sarcophaga peregrina ( fleshfly ) was fed with cadmium (Cd)-containing diet and the distribution of Cd among tissues was determined by separating each organ. Approximately 90% of Cd accumulated in the larva was found in the digestive tract, the fat body and the Malpighian tube being less effective tissues in its accumulation. Cd in the digestive tract was mostly bound to an inducible Cd-binding protein. The Cd-binding protein was a mixture of five isoproteins having several properties characteristic of metallothionein.