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Metallothionein determination can be applied to learn about aquatic metal pollution and oxidative stress detoxification mechanisms through Problem‐based Learning
Author(s) -
HauserDavis Rachel A.,
Comarú Michele W.,
Lopes Renato M.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
biochemistry and molecular biology education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.34
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1539-3429
pISSN - 1470-8175
DOI - 10.1002/bmb.21342
Subject(s) - biomonitoring , metallothionein , detoxification (alternative medicine) , ecotoxicology , oxidative stress , pollution , environmental chemistry , aquatic environment , aquatic ecosystem , aquatic toxicology , environmental science , ecology , chemistry , biology , cadmium , biochemistry , toxicity , medicine , alternative medicine , organic chemistry , pathology
A simple, repeatable and inexpensive laboratory practice applied to teach and discuss aquatic metal pollution and oxidative stress detoxification mechanisms through biomarker analyses, as well as important ecotoxicology concepts, is presented herein. It has been implemented in a university in Brazil to both undergraduate and Master's and PhD students, indicating usefulness to all these levels. Students learned to detect metallothionein and reduced glutathione concentrations in biological samples and investigate several variables of interest in biomonitoring assessments. In addition, statistical correlations were used to indicate the potential dual role played by MT in aquatic organisms, allowing for biological inferences regarding both aquatic metal pollution and oxidative stress detoxification mechanisms and maturing of ecotoxicological and biomonitoring concepts discussed and presented both theoretically and integrated to the laboratory findings.