Molecular Stress Responses against Trace Metal Contamination in Aquatic Invertebrates

Abstract

The highly conserved heat shock proteins have been studied for decades. To protect cell against proteomic dysfunction provoked by metal toxicity this group of proteins is dynamically expressed in aquatic invertebrates from several zoological groups. We herein summarized the main studies regarding Hsp (heat shock proteins) in aquatic invertebrates. Uptake mechanisms of trace metal toxicants by cells are first discussed. The toxicity mechanisms of copper, lead and cadmium in freshwater, brine water and saltwater gave rise to a clearer understanding of the activation of stress-inducible heat shock proteins. The regulation of HSP60, HSP70, HSP90 and small Hsp by some redox-inactive metals occurred as a function of dose concentration and duration of chemical assault. Are also reviewed and evaluated here, the induction time, metal bioaccumulation, toxicity threshold, mRNA-Hsp transcripts expression of different HSP families, and additional factors likely able to modulate Hsp expression such as temperature, age and salinity. Our work finally is pointing to some directions towards the Hsp research in aquatic invertebrates could make some important progresses in the future.