title: Expression of metallothionein isoforms in peripheral blood leukocytes from Thai population residing in cadmium-contaminated areas.
abstract: Metallothionein (MT) is a group of proteins with high cadmium (Cd) affinity and with a potential role in Cd transportation and detoxification. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between MT (MT-1A, MT-2A, and MT-3 isoforms) gene expression level in peripheral blood leukocytes and Cd-associated renal injury in non-occupational exposed Thai population. The study was conducted in adult subjects residing in Cd-contaminated areas of Mae Sot District, Thailand. The basal levels of MT-1A, MT-2A, and MT-3 mRNA expression were determined in leukocytes by quantitative RT-PCR. MT-1A and MT-2A expressions, particularly MT-1A, were found to be significantly increased with elevated levels of blood and urinary Cd levels. In subjects with high urinary Cd levels, negative correlations between MT-1A and microalbumin, and between MT-2A and β(2)-MG, were observed. These results suggest that MT gene expression may reflect susceptibility of the exposed population to Cd-induced renal dysfunction. MT-1A mRNA expression in leukocytes might be developed as a potential biomarker of Cd exposure and Cd-induced renal dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Thailand Center of Excellence in Drug Discovery and Development, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kanyarat
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boonprasert
authors.forename: Ronnatrai
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ruengweerayut
authors.forename: Ratchaneewan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aunpad
authors.forename: Soisungwan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Satarug
authors.forename: Kesara
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Na-Bangchang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002104:Cadmium / Q000633:toxicity* / Q000652:urine; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity* / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D013785:Thailand
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D002104:Cadmium; D008668:Metallothionein