Alterations in the expression of translation factors as molecular markers in cadmium-exposed workers

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 (eIF3) and elongation factor 1δ (eEF-1δ) are novel cadmium (Cd) responsive proto-oncogenes. This research investigated the expression of these genes in Cd-exposed workers (n = 58), and to evaluate their usefulness as biomarkers of Cd exposure. According to urinary Cd concentration, the subjects were divided into four groups (urinary Cd concentration ≥0.1 μg/g.Cr, ≥1.0 μg/g.Cr, ≥5.0 μg/g.Cr and ≥50.0 μg/g.Cr). Subjects exhibited increased severe health problems with higher urinary Cd concentrations. The eIF3 and eEF-1δ expression in the blood were investigated with real-time PCR. PCR data showed a strong positive correlation between blood eEF-1δ and urinary Cd concentrations (r = 0.788, p < 0.01), and a weak positive correlation between blood eIF3 expression and urinary Cd concentrations (r = 0.569, p < 0.05). These findings, for the first time, demonstrate that the blood eEF-1δ overexpression can be used as a molecular biomarker of Cd-exposed population.