Molecular Mechanisms of Cadmium-Induced Toxicity and Its Modification

Area of Science:

• Environmental toxicology
• Molecular biology
• Heavy metal toxicity

Background:

• Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic environmental heavy metal impacting multiple organs.
• The molecular mechanisms of Cd toxicity are not fully understood.
• Cd exposure is linked to anemia and organ damage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent molecular mechanisms of Cd toxicity.
• To highlight novel molecular targets and pathways affected by Cd.
• To provide a mechanistic basis for Cd-induced anemia.

Main Methods:

• DNA microarray analysis
• Protein-DNA binding assays
• siRNA-mediated gene silencing
• Review of apoptosis, ROS, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis pathways

Main Results:

• Identified YY1, FOXF1, ARNT, and MEF2A as novel Cd molecular targets.
• Downregulation of UBE2D2, UBE2D4, BIRC3, and SLC2A4 associated with cytotoxicity.
• PPARδ modulates Cd-induced renal toxicity via apoptosis pathways.
• Cd suppresses iron transport genes, impairing intestinal absorption and reducing hepatic iron.

Conclusions:

• Cd toxicity involves disruption of key transcription factors and downstream genes.
• Cd-induced renal toxicity is modulated by PPARδ and apoptosis.
• Disrupted iron homeostasis contributes to Cd-induced iron deficiency anemia.