[Metallothionein and its isoform genes expression in the human pancreatic cancer cell strains and their function].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the expression of metallothionein (MT) genes and proteins in six human pancreatic cancer cell strains and two human pancreatic cancer drug-resistant cell strains and to explore the relationship between the expression of the MT and pancreatic cancer cell chemo-resistance.


METHODS
Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the MT isoform-specific mRNA, and cadmium/hemoglobin saturation-electrochemistry to determine MT protein levels.


RESULTS
MT protein expression in the pancreatic cancer cell strains was encoded by MT-1A, MT-1B, MT-1E, MT-1F, MT-1G, MT-1X, and MT-2A genes. The expression of MT proteins was upregulated and MT-1B, MT-1E, MT-1X, MT-2A genes overexpressed in human pancreatic cancer drug-resistant cell lines (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Expressions of MT proteins and genes correlate with the proliferation and chemoresistance of human pancreatic cancer cell strains.
Xie
Yong
Y
Department of General Surgery, PUMC Hospital, CAMS and PUMC, Beijing 100730, China.
Zhao
Yu-pei
YP
Chen
Ge
G
Yuan
Chun-hui
CH
Li
Li-jun
LJ
D002455:Cell Division / Q000235:genetics; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D008668:Metallothionein