The genotoxic carcinogen chromium(VI) alters the metal-inducible expression but not the basal expression of the metallothionein gene in vivo

The ability of the carcinogen chromium(VI) to affect the basal and zinc-inducible expression of liver metallothionein was examined in 14- and 18-day chicken embryos in vivo. Metallothionein expression varied with the stage of embryo development, with basal steady-state mRNA levels being approximatel...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inCarcinogenesis (New York) Vol. 15; no. 5; p. 1089
Main Authors Alcedo, J A, Misra, M, Hamilton, J W, Wetterhahn, K E
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 01.05.1994
Subjects
Animals
Base Sequence
Carcinogens - toxicity
Chick Embryo
Chickens
Chromium - toxicity
Female
Gene Expression Regulation - drug effects
Glutethimide - pharmacology
Metallothionein - genetics
Metals - pharmacology
Molecular Sequence Data
RNA, Messenger - genetics
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:The ability of the carcinogen chromium(VI) to affect the basal and zinc-inducible expression of liver metallothionein was examined in 14- and 18-day chicken embryos in vivo. Metallothionein expression varied with the stage of embryo development, with basal steady-state mRNA levels being approximately three times lower in livers of 18-day versus 14-day chicken embryos. Chromium(VI) treatment had no effect on the basal steady-state levels of metallothionein mRNA and protein in either 14- or 18-day chicken embryo liver. Treatment of 14-day embryos with zinc(II) resulted in a 3- to 5-fold increase in steady-state levels of metallothionein mRNA in liver. Pre-treatment of 14-day embryos with chromium(VI) inhibited the zinc(II)-induced increase in steady-state levels of metallothionein mRNA and protein in liver by 30-50%. In contrast, chromium(VI) and/or zinc(II) treatments had no effect on steady-state levels of beta-actin mRNA.
ISSN:0143-3334
1460-2180
DOI:10.1093/carcin/15.5.1089