Induction of metallothionein synthesis in cultured cells derived from rabbit kidney.
Metallothionein (MT) synthesis in rabbit kidney-derived RK-13 cells was studied. In response to Cd2+, RK-13 cells synthesized proteins closely similar in chromatographic and electrophoretic behaviors to the liver MTs induced in Cd2+-injected rabbit. These proteins were specifically immunoprecipitated by anti-mouse liver MT-II serum. The rate of RK-13 thionein (apoprotein of MT) synthesis rapidly increased after exposure to 1 microgram/ml of Cd2+, and reached the maximum in 7 h. The dose-response curve for the synthesis was biphasic; a sharp increase up to 0.5 microgram/ml and a slower increase at higher concentrations. RK-13 cells retained kidney-specific properties in terms of responsiveness of thionein synthesis to inducers; The MTs were inducible also by Zn2+ and probably by Hg2+, but not by dexamethasone. This system would therefore be a useful model in vitro for studying the regulation of MT synthesis in kidney cells.
D000818:Animals; D002104:Cadmium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D007668:Kidney / Q000032:analysis / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008628:Mercury / Q000494:pharmacology; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011817:Rabbits; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology
D002104:Cadmium; D003907:Dexamethasone; D008668:Metallothionein; D008628:Mercury; D015032:Zinc