Thiol compounds induction kinetics in marine phytoplankton during and after mercury exposure

► Investigated the synthesis of different thiols in a marine diatom after Hg(II) and MeHg exposure. ► There was a significant difference between Hg(II) and MeHg in their detoxification strategies. ► MeHg induced the synthesis of glutathione, but Hg(II) induced other non-protein thiols. ► Kinetics of non-protein thiol compounds pointed to a rapid cellular response to mercury. ► In addition to thiol induction, there were also involvements of other detoxification mechanisms.