Metallothionein-like proteins in human placenta and fetal membranes.
Metallothionein (MT) levels were measured in the term human placenta, chorion, and amnion by the Cd-radioassay method. MT concentrations in the amnion and chorion were 8 to 9 micrograms MT/g tissue while placental levels were approximately half this value. For individual subjects a significant correlation (r2 = 0.96) was found for placental and chorionic MT, while amnionic MT levels did not correlate with either placental or chorionic MT. Gel filtration and uv spectral analysis confirmed the presence of a MT-like protein in cytosol obtained from amnion, chorion, and placenta. MT levels in trophoblasts cultured from chorion were increased upon exposure in vitro to either Cd or Zn.
D000650:Amnion / Q000032:analysis; D002104:Cadmium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002823:Chorion / Q000378:metabolism; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D003600:Cytosol / Q000032:analysis; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010920:Placenta / Q000032:analysis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology
D002104:Cadmium; D008668:Metallothionein; D015032:Zinc