Human metallothionein gene expression determined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction as a biomarker of cadmium exposure.
Expression of the metallothionein (MT) gene in frozen human lymphocytes has been developed as a new molecular biomarker of heavy metal exposure. Workers at a Polish battery factory with high exposure to cadmium were monitored for airborne exposure and blood cadmium levels. A novel quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) technique, making use of a homologous internal standard, was used to assess the level of MT-specific mRNA in frozen stored aliquots of blood samples taken from exposed and control workers. Results from this assay showed a statistically significant 2.5-fold increase in MT mRNA in exposed compared to control workers. The RT-PCR results also showed significant correlation with airborne cadmium, as registered on personal monitors and with blood cadmium levels. The results suggest that gene induction measured by quantitative RT-PCR is a promising approach for application as a biomarker of biologically effective dose in small samples of frozen tissues or cells.
Ganguly
S
S
Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University Medical Center, New York 10016, USA.
Taioli
E
E
Baranski
B
B
Cohen
B
B
Toniolo
P
P
Garte
S J
SJ
D001483:Base Sequence; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002104:Cadmium / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D015533:Transcriptional Activation
D015415:Biomarkers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D002104:Cadmium; D008668:Metallothionein