title: Increasing CACNA1C expression in placenta containing high Cd level: an implication of Cd toxicity.
abstract: Cadmium (Cd) has known to produce many adverse effects on organs including placenta. Many essential transporters are involved in Cd transport pathways such as DMT-1, ZIP as well as L-VDCC. Fourteen pregnant women participated and were divided into two groups: high and low Cd-exposed (H-Cd, L-Cd) groups on the basis of their residential areas, Cd concentrations in the blood (B-Cd), urine (U-Cd), and placenta (P-Cd). The results showed that the B-Cd and U-Cd were significantly increased in H-Cd group (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the P-Cd in H-Cd group was elevated (p < 0.05) and positively related to their B-Cd and U-Cd values (p < 0.05). However, the mean cord blood Cd (C-Cd) concentration in H-Cd group was not significantly increased about 2.5-fold when comparing to L-Cd group. To determine the Cd accumulation in placental tissues, metallothionein-1A (MT-1A) and metallothionein-2A (MT-2A) expressions were used as biomarkers. The results revealed that mean MT-1A and MT-2A mRNAs and MT-1/2 proteins were up-regulated in H-Cd group (p < 0.05). In addition, the Ca channel alpha 1C (CACNA1C) mRNA and protein expressions were noticeably elevated in H-Cd group (p < 0.05). From these findings, we suggested that CACNA1C might be implicated in Cd transport in human placenta.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand.|Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Science, University of Phayao, Phayao, 56000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Laorrat
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Phuapittayalert
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Phisid
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Saenganantakarn
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Wisa
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Supanpaiboon
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Science, Buriram Rajabhat University, Buriram, 31000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Supaporn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cheunchoojit
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Wiphawi
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hipkaeo
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand. natthiyak@nu.ac.th.
authors.forename: Natthiya
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9883-0875
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sakulsak
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002104:Cadmium / Q000633:toxicity*; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010920:Placenta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C079146:CACNA1C protein, human; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; C530099:MT1A protein, human; C491053:MT2A protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D002104:Cadmium; D008668:Metallothionein
keywords: Cadmium (Cd); Calcium (Ca); Calcium channel alpha 1C (CACNA1C); Metallothionein (MT); Placenta