[Metallothionein isoforms gene expression induced by cadmium in human peripheral blood lymphocytes].
OBJECTIVE
To explore gene expression of metallothionein 1 (MT-1) isoforms in human peripheral blood lymphocytes.


METHODS
mRNA of expression representing the seven active subtypes of MT-1 gene was determined in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBLs) before and after exposure to cadmium by quantitative RT-PCR.


RESULTS
Basal expression of MT-1X, MT-1A in HPBLs was similar to expression of the housekeeping gene glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase. In contrast, the basal gene expression of MT-1H, MT-1F, MT-1E, MT-1G was a little transcript in HPBLs. No signal was detected for the MT-1B. There was a sex difference (P < 0.05) in basal gene expression of MT-1E. The level of gene expression of MT-1A, MT-1E, MT-1F, MT-1G, MT-1H and MT-1X was significantly increased (P < 0.05), but not the level of MT-1B after exposure to cadmium.


CONCLUSIONS
It was suggested that gene expression of MT-1F, MT-1G, MT-1H and 1X in HPBLs could be used as potential exposure biomarker.
Chang
Xiu-li
XL
School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Jin
Tai-yi
TY
Zhou
Yuan-fen
YF
D000328:Adult; D002104:Cadmium / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D002104:Cadmium; D008668:Metallothionein