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Genotoxic Effects of Lead and Their Impact on the Expression of DNA Repair Genes

Sirirak Hemmaphan¹, Narisa K Bordeerat²

¹Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Rangsit 12121, Thailand.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

|April 12, 2022

Abstract:

Exposure to lead (Pb) continues to be a significant worldwide problem. Pb is a highly poisonous heavy metal affecting several organ systems in the body. Although Pb has been shown to be genotoxic to experimental animals and humans, the underlying mechanisms are still not understood. An indirect mechanism related to the inhibition of DNA repair systems by Pb has been suggested. Heavy metals can interfere with the activities of several proteins and gene expressions. Recent studies gathered in this review article demonstrated an altered expression of DNA repair genes due to Pb toxicity. However, their findings are conflicting. Furthermore, the interaction of Pb and epigenetic mechanisms regulating gene expression may have a crucial role in the inhibition of DNA repair systems. Therefore, additional studies are needed to evaluate these findings and to obtain a complete picture of the genotoxic properties of Pb and the underlying mechanisms that may have a crucial role in carcinogenesis.

Keywords:

DNA repair gene expression genotoxicity lead

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