Expression of heat shock proteins as biomarker tool in aquatic invertebrates: Actual knowledge and ongoing developments for the early detection of environmental changes and ecological risks

International audienceMany invertebrates are able in tolerating and compensating sublethal stress by involving metabolic pathways and reactions that allow them in surviving under adverse environmental conditions. Therefore, in the ongoing development of new tools for aquatic ecosystem biomonitoring (marine, salt marsh and freshwater), biochemical measurements that can be used as individual biomarkers of impaired biological functions in invertebrates have been proposed. Among these biomarkers, the expression of heat shock proteins (Hsps) has been widely investigated in both natural environmental stress situations (temperature seasonal variations, hypoxia…) and anthropic disturbances as chemical contaminations. Indeed, the heat shock protein family plays a key role: their induction is the signal of exposure to conditions that alter intracellular proteins. The present contribution deals with the actual knowledge in the field of heat shock proteins as biomarker tools in aquatic bioindicator invertebrates for the early detection of environmental changes and ecological risks. The growing emphasis of these biological tools is supported by their interest to complete water quality criteria based on chemical analysis and mortality of species under stress conditions. Steps for the calibration of these chaperone proteins as potential biomarker tools will be discussed. Commentary will focus on actual knowledge and further developments