title: Induction of metallothionein mRNA in rat liver and kidney after copper chloride injection.
abstract: The kinetics of the increase of metallothionein mRNA in rat liver and kidney after CuCl2 injection was determined by cell-free translation and dot-blot hybridization of total RNA isolated at various times after the injection. Both assay procedures gave essentially the same result: a 16-fold increase in hepatic metallothionein mRNA was observed 7h after CuCl2 injection, with a decline to basal values by 15 h. The response in the kidney was less dramatic, with a 6-fold increase in metallothionein mRNA 5 h after injection, and basal values were attained by 12h. The rise in Cu2+ concentration in both organs was closely correlated with the increase in metallothionein mRNA; hepatic Cu2+ was increased 5.9-fold by 5h after injection and renal Cu2+ was increased 4.3-fold 5h after injection. The Zn2+ concentration in the liver had not risen significantly within 5h of Cu2+ injection. Renal Zn2+ concentrations did not alter appreciably in the Cu2+-treated animals. These results support the conclusion that Cu2+ is acting as a primary inducer of metallothionein mRNA in the rat.
mesh_terms: D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000818:Animals; D003300:Copper / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013431:Sulfates / Q000494:pharmacology; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology; D019287:Zinc Sulfate
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013431:Sulfates; D019287:Zinc Sulfate; D003300:Copper; D008668:Metallothionein; C028419:cuprous chloride; D015032:Zinc