Transcriptional regulation of the mouse metallothionein-I gene by heavy metals.
Administration of Cd, Zn, Cu, or Hg increases the rate of transcription from the metallothionein-I gene in mouse liver and kidney. Maximal transcription rates occur 1 h after Cd administration in both tissues. Metallothionein-I mRNA levels, measured by cDNA hybridization, and metallothionein protein synthesis, measured by [35S]cysteine incorporation, increase simultaneously, reaching maximal levels about 4 h after Cd administration. Cd also induces metallothionein-I mRNA in all other tissues examined (spleen, heart, skeletal muscle, brain, and intestine) except testes. Comparison of the inductions by Cd and Hg shows that the kinetics of metallothionein-I mRNA accumulation as well as the stability of the resultant metallothioneins differ.
D000818:Animals; D002104:Cadmium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003300:Copper / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005796:Genes / Q000187:drug effects*; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008667:Metalloproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects*; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology*
D008667:Metalloproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D002104:Cadmium; D003300:Copper; D008668:Metallothionein; D008628:Mercury; D015032:Zinc