Biomonitoring in a clean and a multi-contaminated estuary based on biomarkers and chemical analyses in the endobenthic worm Nereis diversicolor.

Relationships between biochemical and physiological biomarkers (acetylcholinesterase [AChE], catalase, and glutathione S-transferase [GST] activities, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, glycogen, lipids and proteins) and accumulated concentrations of contaminants (polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs], polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metals) were examined in the keystone species Nereis diversicolor. The chemical analyses of worms and sediments allowed the designation of the Seine estuary and the Authie estuary as a polluted and relatively clean site respectively. Worms from the Seine estuary exhibited higher GST and lower AChE activities.

From biomarkers to population responses in Nereis diversicolor: assessment of stress in estuarine ecosystems.

Suborganismal responses to toxicants can be sensitive tools to assess marine pollution, but their ecological significance is a matter of debate. Among these biomarkers, those linked to reproduction are most probably related to populational effects. To test this hypothesis, Nereis diversicolor were collected in the multipolluted Seine estuary and the comparatively clean Authie estuary (France).

Cloning and expression of a GST-pi gene in Mytilus galloprovincialis. Attempt to use the GST-pi transcript as a biomarker of pollution.

Glutathione S-transferase is involved in the detoxication of many chemical compounds. Northern blot analysis of mRNA GST gene from the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis shows the presence of a transcript of 850 bp (GenBank accession no. Gi:22094808 and AF527010).

Metal bioaccumulation and metallothionein concentrations in larvae of Crassostrea gigas.

Larval stages of bivalve molluscs are highly sensitive to pollutants. Oysters from a hatchery from Normandy (English Channel) were induced to spawn, and fertilized eggs were exposed to copper or cadmium for 24 h. Metal accumulation (from 0.

Effect of three xenobiotic compounds on Glutathione S-Transferase in the clam Ruditapes decussatus.

The effects of 4,4'DDE, methoxychlor and imidazole were studied on glutathione S-transferase activities in the gills and hepatopancreas of the clam Ruditapes decussatus. The contamination doses were 0.14 microM for 4,4'DDE, 0.

Mussel transplantation and biomarkers as useful tools for assessing water quality in the NW Mediterranean.

Mussels, coming from an aquaculture farm located in a clean open bay, were transplanted to several stations of the bays of Nice and Cannes (NW Mediterranean) including a reference site for one month at three periods. Several biomarkers: activities of glutathione S-transferase (GST; exposure to organics), of catalase (exposure to oxidative stress) and of acetylcholinesterase (inhibited by some pesticides) and the lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances: TBARS) were measured in transplanted mussels. Cd, Cu and Zn concentrations were also measured as well as their condition index.

Mercury and non-protein thiol compounds in the seagrass Posidonia oceanica.

Mercury concentrations, non-protein thiol levels and the enzyme activities of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were measured in the blades and sheaths of the marine phanerogam Posidonia oceanica. The seagrass was collected in January and June and at three sites: the Bay of Rosignano (Italy) known for its mercury contamination, the north of the Lérins islands (Bay of Cannes, France), the Bay of Tonnara (Corsica, France). The two latter sites are considered as free of any known industrial inputs.

Mercury uptake and enzymatic response of Posidonia oceanica after an experimental exposure to organic and inorganic forms.

The aim of this study was to examine the experimental uptake of mercury and the enzymatic response, i.e., glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity, to this metal introduced into the medium under organic (methylmercury chloride) and nonorganic (mercury chloride) forms.

Purification and partial characterization of seven glutathione S-transferase isoforms from the clam Ruditapes decussatus.

This paper deals with the purification and the partial characterization of glutathione S-transferase (GST) isoforms from the clam Ruditapes decussatus. For the first step of purification, two affinity columns, reduced glutathione (GSH)-agarose and S-hexyl GSH-agarose, were mounted in series. Four affinity fractions were thus recovered.