metallothionein and cadmium-acetate

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal with various human exposure sources. It accumulates in the liver, forming a complex with metallothionein protein and progresses to other organs. As a heavy metal, cadmium can replace calcium and other divalent ions and disturb their cascades, ultimately affecting the vital organs. Since cadmium acetate (CA) is considered more lethal than other Cd compounds, the current study examines the effect of different concentrations of CA doses in drinking water for different exposure times in murine models (Mus musculus). After the exposure period, the murine models were then examined histopathologically and biochemically. The histopathological examination of the heart, liver, and kidneys of the experimental group showed extensive degenerative effects. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used to determine the quantity of cadmium in serum, kidney, and hepatic tissues. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of hepatic proteins, especially metallothionein, directly related to Cd administration. The biochemical parameters, including creatine kinase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total proteins, glucose, urea, uric acid, and creatinine, were also analyzed. After thorough histochemical and biochemical analysis, it was concluded that even low dose exposure of CA is hazardous to murine models with damaging effects.

Topics: Animals; Cadmium; Drinking Water; Humans; Kidney; Liver; Metallothionein; Mice

Herein, we report a new simple and easy-to-use approach for the characterization of protein oligomerization based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and capillary electrophoresis with LED-induced detection. The FRET pair consisted of quantum dots (QDs) used as an emission tunable donor (emission wavelength of 450 nm) and a cyanine dye (Cy3), providing optimal optical properties as an acceptor. Nonoxidative dimerization of mammalian metallothionein (MT) was investigated using the donor and acceptor covalently conjugated to MT. The main functions of MTs within an organism include the transport and storage of essential metal ions and detoxification of toxic ions. Upon storage under aerobic conditions, MTs form dimers (as well as higher oligomers), which may play an essential role as mediators in oxidoreduction signaling pathways. Due to metal bridging by Cd

Topics: Acetates; Animals; Cadmium; Carbocyanines; Dimerization; Electrophoresis, Capillary; Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; Metallothionein; Models, Molecular; Protein Conformation; Quantum Dots; Rabbits; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; Static Electricity

Male Wistar rats received by gavage saline or about 25 micrograms cadmium (Cd)/kg/day as Cd-acetate (Cd-Ac), Cd-metallothionein (Cd-MT) or Cd-glutathione (Cd-GSH) 5 times per week for 28 times. At all treatments 0.2-0.3% of the totally administered Cd dose was found in liver, kidneys, small intestine and pancreas, whereas none of the Cd forms applied resulted in a Cd accumulation in testes. Cd in small intestine was not increased by Cd-MT. However, it was raised by Cd-Ac and even more by Cd-GSH. A smaller increase in hepatic and renal Cd resulted from Cd-GSH than from Cd-Ac or Cd-MT. Cd in pancreas increased after Cd-GSH but not after Cd-Ac or Cd-MT. Copper (Cu) rose in small intestine and testes but decreased in kidneys independent of either Cd treatment. Concomitantly, zinc (Zn) was decreased in small intestine and testes. The tissue concentration of metallothionein (MT) was only marginally increased by all treatments. The highest value (80%) above controls) was found in small intestine after Cd-GSH. Intestinal Cd as well as testicular Cu were related to the tissue MT. Therefore, the distribution of Cd between various organs depends on the Cd form applied. There is some relationship to the distribution of Cu and Zn.

Topics: Acetates; Administration, Oral; Animals; Cadmium; Copper; Drug Interactions; Glutathione; Intestinal Absorption; Intestine, Small; Kidney; Liver; Male; Metallothionein; Pancreas; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Testis; Tissue Distribution; Zinc