Cadmium-induced synthesis of metallothioneins in human lymphocytes and monocytes.
Cd2+-binding proteins of peripheral blood lymphocytes and monocytes have not well been characterized so far, although they are expected to be a clue for understanding Cd2+ toxicity in those immune competent cells. We separated a family of Cd2+-binding proteins from Cd2+-exposed human peripheral blood lymphocytes by gel filtration chromatography, and characterized them by SDS-gel electrophoresis. The proteins showed electrophoretic behaviours closely similar to metallothioneins (MTs) of HeLa cells derived from human cervical carcinoma. The proteins were also found in Cd2+-exposed monocytes, and were inducible by Cd2+ in both lymphocytes and monocytes. Anti-MT serum specifically precipitated these proteins, which were thus identified as MTs. These results suggest that the two classes of the cells involved in the immune system possess a protective mechanism against Cd2+ through MTs. A variety of human lymphoid cell lines derived from both T and B cells were also found to have capacity to synthesize MTs in response to Cd2+.
Sone
T
T
Department of Experimental Toxicology, National Institute of Industrial Health, Kanagawa, Japan.
Koizumi
S
S
Kimura
M
M
D000328:Adult; D002051:Burkitt Lymphoma / Q000378:metabolism; D002104:Cadmium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000378:metabolism; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000378:metabolism
D002104:Cadmium; D008668:Metallothionein