title: [Application of metallothionein gene isoforms expression as biomarkers in cadmium exposure].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the feasibility of metallothionein (MT) gene expression level in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBLs) as a biomarker in cadmium exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  The MT gene expression level in HPBLs of workers exposed to cadmium was examined using RT-PCR technique, and the exposure assessment and effect assessment were conducted in exposed workers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The basal MT-1A, IE, IF, IX and MT-2A expression level in workers exposed to cadmium were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The basal MT-1A, IE, IF, IX and MT-2A expression level would be significantly increased with the increase of the blood cadmium (BCd) level (P < 0.05). There was a trend of increase for the mRNA expression of the basal MT-1A, 1E, IF, IX, MT-2A, especially for the mRNA expression of MT-1A and MT-2A (P < 0.05) with the increase of the level of the urine cadmium (UCd). There was a good dose-response relationship between basal MT-1A expression and UCd. The basal MT-1A, IE, IF, IX and MT-2A expression level were significantly correlated with BCd (P < 0.05) while the basal MT-1A, IF and MT-2A expression level were significantly correlated with UCd (P < 0.05). There were dose-effect relationships of BCd to the basal MT-1E, MT-1F, MT-1X and MT-2X expression level respectively and there were also dose-effect relationships of UCd, beta(2)-MG and the urine metallothionein to the basal MT-1A expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The expression of the MT gene isoforms in HPBLs can serve as the biomarker for the cadmium exposure and MT-1A can also serve as the effective biomarkers for the cadmium-induced renal toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupation Health, Public Health School of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
authors.forename: Xiu-li
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Tai-yi
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Li-jian
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.forename: Yuan-fen
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002104:Cadmium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D002104:Cadmium; D008668:Metallothionein