Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026
An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium
Published on: December 17, 2018
[Metallothionein isoforms gene expression induced by cadmium in human peripheral blood lymphocytes]
Xiu-li Chang1, Tai-yi Jin, Yuan-fen Zhou
1School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Objective:
To explore gene expression of metallothionein 1 (MT-1) isoforms in human peripheral blood lymphocytes.
Methods:
mRNA of expression representing the seven active subtypes of MT-1 gene was determined in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBLs) before and after exposure to cadmium by quantitative RT-PCR.
Results:
Basal expression of MT-1X, MT-1A in HPBLs was similar to expression of the housekeeping gene glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase. In contrast, the basal gene expression of MT-1H, MT-1F, MT-1E, MT-1G was a little transcript in HPBLs. No signal was detected for the MT-1B. There was a sex difference (P < 0.05) in basal gene expression of MT-1E. The level of gene expression of MT-1A, MT-1E, MT-1F, MT-1G, MT-1H and MT-1X was significantly increased (P < 0.05), but not the level of MT-1B after exposure to cadmium.
Conclusion:
It was suggested that gene expression of MT-1F, MT-1G, MT-1H and 1X in HPBLs could be used as potential exposure biomarker.