Fig. 6.

 Western blot analysis of Hsp70 and cross-reacting bands in various tissues of Lumbricus terrestris earthworms exposed in vivo to diverse heavy metals. The exposure time to lead (Pb⁺⁺), cadmium (Cd⁺⁺), copper (Cu⁺⁺), and mercury (Hg⁺⁺) was 3 days, and the proximal (A), midbody wall muscles (B), and midgut/intestinal (C) tissues were analyzed. Molecular weight standards are indicated by arrows. Lt HS is L. terrestris midgut/intestinal tissues heat shocked in vitro at 30°C. Human MCF7 cells have also been used as a positive Hsp70 control. The respective doses of heavy metals in mg/kg of soil are 0 mg (control), 500 mg Pb⁺⁺, 100 mg Cd⁺⁺, 250 mg Cu⁺⁺, and 100 mg Hg⁺⁺; 60 μg of proteins were loaded on the gels