title: Transcriptomic, Biochemical, and Histopathological Responses of the Clam Ruditapes decussatus from a Metal-Contaminated Tunis Lagoon.
abstract: This study was designed to investigate the molecular (transcriptional expression), biochemical (oxidative stress and neurotoxicity), and histopathological effects of metal contamination in the gill of clams (Ruditapes decussatus) sampled from the Tunis lagoon. The concentrations of five heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Hg, Cu, and Zn) in surface sediments and their accumulation in soft tissues of R. decussatus were evaluated in three sites (Z1, Z2, and Z3). A metal contamination state of Tunis lagoon sediments was noted with spatial variations with relatively high levels at Z2. Biomarker analyses showed an increase in glutathione S-transferase and catalase activities and lipid peroxidation levels and a decrease in acetylcholinesterase activity in the studied sites. Molecular investigation showed a significant overexpression of: cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, ribosomal RNA 16S, Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, heat shock protein 70, and metallothioneins in the three sampling sites. Moreover, our data were correlated to severe and diverse histopathological alterations in the clam gills. The principal component analysis showed that the Z2 region is more affected by metal contamination than Z1 and Z3 regions. Current field results suggest the use of several combined biomarkers at different cell levels instead of individual ones in monitoring programs.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Analysis Treatment and Valorization of Environmental Pollutants and Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia. houssem.chalghmi@yahoo.fr.|UMR CNRS 5805 EPOC, University of Bordeaux, Arcachon Marine Station, Place du Dr Peyneau, 33120, Arcachon, France. houssem.chalghmi@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Houssem
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chalghmi
authors.affiliation: UMR CNRS 5805 EPOC, University of Bordeaux, Arcachon Marine Station, Place du Dr Peyneau, 33120, Arcachon, France. jean-paul.bourdineaud@u-bordeaux.fr.
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bourdineaud
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Histology Cytology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, 5019, Monastir, Tunisia. zohrahaouas@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Zohra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Haouas
authors.affiliation: UMR CNRS 5805 EPOC, University of Bordeaux, Arcachon Marine Station, Place du Dr Peyneau, 33120, Arcachon, France. pierreyvesgourves@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Pierre-Yves
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Gourves
authors.affiliation: Centre of Water Researches and Technologies, Technopark Borj Cedria, BP. 273, 8020, Soliman, Tunisia. zrafi_ines@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Ines
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zrafi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Analysis Treatment and Valorization of Environmental Pollutants and Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia. dalila.saidane@fphm.rnu.tn.
authors.forename: Dalila
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Saidane-Mosbahi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005880:Gills / Q000378:metabolism; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000378:metabolism; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012758:Shellfish; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D014416:Tunisia; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008668:Metallothionein; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase