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Hepcidin-2 in mouse urine as a candidate radiation-responsive molecule
Daisuke Iizuka1, Susumu Yoshioka2, Hidehiko Kawai3
1Department of Experimental Oncology, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan Department of Molecular Radiobiology, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan daisukei@hiroshima-u.ac.jp.
Radiation exposure increases urinary hepcidin-2 levels in mice, with higher doses causing delayed excretion. This response is linked to increased hepcidin-2 gene expression in the liver, suggesting a direct link between radiation and hepcidin-2 induction.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Radiation Biology
Background:
- Radiation exposure can induce molecular changes in biological systems.
- Identifying biomarkers for radiation response is crucial for medical and safety applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify radiation-responsive molecules in mouse urine following gamma irradiation.
- To investigate the dose- and time-dependent changes of identified molecules.
Main Methods:
- High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for urine fraction separation.
- Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for molecule identification.
- Quantitative analysis of hepcidin-2 and kidney androgen-regulated protein (KAP) fragments in response to varying radiation doses.
Main Results:
- Hepcidin antimicrobial peptide 2 (hepcidin-2) and KAP peptide fragments were identified as radiation-responsive candidates.
- Urinary hepcidin-2 levels increased in a dose-dependent manner, with delayed peaks at higher doses (≥1 Gy).
- Low radiation doses (0.25-0.5 Gy) induced a biphasic increase in hepcidin-2, paralleling increased Hamp2 mRNA levels in the liver.
Conclusions:
- Urinary hepcidin-2 is a sensitive biomarker for radiation exposure.
- Radiation exposure upregulates hepatic Hamp2 mRNA, leading to increased urinary hepcidin-2 excretion.
- Hepcidin-2 excretion patterns provide insights into radiation dose and timing.
