title: Role of metallothionein in differentiation of leukemia cells.
abstract: Metallothioneins (MTs), a group of small, cystein-rich proteins, possess various functions, including metal detoxification and homeostasis. We here report new findings on the participation of MT in cellular differentiation processes. MT isogene transcription was significantly increased in phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) incubated leukemic DAMI cells, which supports its role in cellular differentiation. To further address this possibility, we constructed one stable MT-2A overexpressing DAMI cell line. Increase of cell size, intracellular granulation and megakaryocytic specific antigen expression such as CD41 and CD42, and arresting cell proliferation have validated the role of MT in differentiation in this cell line.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200G, mailbox 2413, 3001 Leuven (Heverlee), Belgium.
authors.forename: Pegah
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maghdooni Bagheri
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Govaerts
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Ley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008533:Megakaryocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010703:Phorbol Esters / Q000494:pharmacology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C491053:MT2A protein, human; D010703:Phorbol Esters; C119222:phorbol-12-myristate; D008668:Metallothionein