Metallothioneins in aquatic invertebrates: Their role in metal detoxification and their use in biomonitoring

The literature on metallothioneins (MT) in aquatic invertebrates is large and increasing, and their use as biomarkers in environmental monitoring programmes. This work aims to study at a biochemical level, responses of bivalve commonly found on the North African coasts, Perna perna to metal contaminants (cadmium and copper) and the resulting oxidative stress. Bivalves were exposed in vivo during 7 days to cadmium (200 mu g/l) and copper (30 mu g/l). At the end of the experiment, gills and digestive glands were sampled. With regard to the results, a relationship between exposure to metals and the induction of MTs in detoxification processes were drawn and observed in the majority of cases. This study provides important new information that MT may be a suitable biomarker to assess contamination of the marine environment particularly by metals. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review review under responsibility of The TerraGreen Society.