In vivo and in vitro cadmium accumulation during the moult cycle of the male shore crab Carcinus maenas—interaction with calcium metabolism

Gene response profiles for Daphnia pulex exposed to the environmental stressor cadmium reveals novel crustacean metallothioneins

“…Cadmium derived libraries were enriched with genes that were identified as structural constituents of the cuticle. This observation suggests that ecdysis and molt related regulatory pathways are generally influenced by cadmium, which has been observed by others [ 63 , 64 ]. It is interesting that short-term exposures to cadmium of the Daphnia used in the array experiment provided patterns of response that were meaningful in interpreting demographic experiments that involved longer-term exposures to lower cadmium concentrations.…”

“…Calcium content is directly related to the mass of the carapace and, subsequently size [ 61 ] and cadmium is known to impair calcium uptake and metabolism via substitution [ 62 ]. However, several studies have shown that while the period of increased calcium flux during molt can result in increased cadmium uptake [ 63 , 64 ], cadmium does not affect calcium accumulation or content [ 64 ]. Yet interestingly, our studies revealed two cDNAs that responded to cadmium that represent putative calcium binding proteins (singlet 97 and contig 220), suggesting that cadmium may affect calcium regulatory pathways in more subtle ways that contribute to its overall effects.…”

Multiple functions of the crustacean gill: osmotic/ionic regulation, acid-base balance, ammonia excretion, and bioaccumulation of toxic metals

“…Accumulation of toxic metals in the gills is typically studied after waterborne exposure of the whole organisms in seawater containing radioactively labeled trace metals (Bryan, 1968) or by perfusion of the gills with radioactive or stable metals (Pedersen and Bjerregaard, 1995, 2000; Lucu and Obersnel, 1996; Norum et al, 2005). When blue crabs ( Callinectes sapidus ) were exposed to waterborne cadmium, the metal rapidly crossed the gill epithelium and was transported via the hemolymph to the hepatopancreas (Brouwer and Lee, 2007).…”

“…Postmoult increase of cadmium in the shore crab, Carcinus maenas , may be a result of increased calcium transport and competition from Cd for the same transport mechanism (Norum et al, 2003). Copper distribution in the lobster Homarus gammarus and blue crab Callinectes sapidus during a moulting was shifted into the soft tissues (Hagerman, 1983; Engel, 1987), but total Cu 2+ and Zn 2+ content remain unchanged during a moult cycle.…”

Toxic Effects of Cadmium on Crabs and Shrimps

“…Beltrame et al (2010) reported that sex, habitat, and seasonality could influence heavy-metal concentrations in the burrowing crab (Neohelice granulata) from a coastal lagoon in Argentina. The accumulation of Cd in all tissues were markedly higher in postmoult (A1-2 and B1-2) compared to intermoult (C1, C3 and C4) and premoult (D0-3) in male shore crab C. maenas (Nørum et al, 2005). This shows that accumulation and distribution of Cd in crabs and shrimps can also be related to the status of the organisms.…”