Biological effects of contaminants: Quantification of metallothionein (MT) in fish liver tissue

This document describes methods to analyse the protein metallothionein in fish tissues. Metallothionein is induced by and binds essential (Cu, Zn) and non-essential (Cd, Hg) metals and is used in monitoring programmes as a marker for environmental metal exposure. The main focus is on the use and development of immunochemical procedures (ELISA). In addition, two alternative methods, electrochemical and spectrophotometric, are described.