title: Metallothionein gene expression in human adipose tissue from lean and obese subjects.
abstract: Expression of the gene encoding metallothionein, a low molecular-weight cysteine-rich, stress-response and metal-binding protein was examined in human adipose tissue. The mRNA for MT-2A, a major metallothionein isoform in humans, was detected in subcutaneous fat using a specific antisense oligonucleotide probe. The level of MT-2A mRNA was significantly higher in a group of obese subjects than in a lean group, paralleling a similar increase in ob mRNA. A two-week period on a diet of 800 calories/day did not lead to any significant change in MT-2 mRNA levels. Separation of mature adipocytes from the cells of the stromal vascular fraction indicated that in human adipose tissue the metallothionein (MT-2A) gene is expressed both in adipocytes and in other cells of the tissue.
authors.affiliation: School of Bioscience and Food Technology, Handong University, Pohang, Kyungbuk, Korea.
authors.forename: M-S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Do
authors.forename: S-Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.forename: S-E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Beattie
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Trayhurn
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D008668:Metallothionein