Proteomic research in bivalves Towards the identification of molecular markers of aquatic pollution

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

Alexandre Campos (Author) Other; Sara Tedesco (Author) Other; Vitor Vasconcelos (Author) Other; Susana Cristobal (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Proteomics

Vol. 75

Pages: 4346-4359

ISSN: 1874-3919

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 83 Citations

Scopus - 99 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-7Y2

DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2012.04.027

Abstract (EN): Biomonitoring of aquatic environment and assessment of ecosystem health play essential roles in the development of effective strategies for the protection of the environment, human health and sustainable development. Biomarkers of pollution exposure have been extensively utilized in the last few decades to monitor the health of organisms and hence assess environmental status. However, the use of single biomarkers against biotic or abiotic stressors may be limited by the lack of sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, more recently, the search for novel biomarkers has been focused on the application of OMICS methodologies. Environmental proteomics focuses on the analysis of an organism's proteome and the detection of changes in the level of individual proteins/peptides in response to environmental stressors. Proteomics can provide a more robust approach for the assessment of environmental stress and therefore exposure to pollutants. This review aims to summarize the proteomic research in bivalves, a group of sessile and filter feeding organisms that play an important function as "sentinels" of the aquatic environment. A description of the main proteomic methodologies is provided. The current knowledge in bivalves' toxicology, achieved with proteomics, is reported describing the main biochemical markers identified. A brief discussion regarding future challenges in this area of research emphasizing the development of more descriptive gene/protein databases that could support the OMICs approaches is presented. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Farm animal proteomics.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 14