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[Study on cadmium-induced metallothionein-like protein in bone marrow of rabbit]
1Department of Dental Pharmacology, Faculty of Dentistry, Tokyo Medical and Dental University.
Abstract:
It has been recognized that metallothionein (MT) is a low molecular-weight protein and can be induced by heavy metals in several organs. Most studies on MT focus on the liver and kidney, and little is known about MT in the bone marrow. In the present study, the characterization of the MT-like protein in bone marrow of rabbits was investigated after the injection of CdCl2. A dose of 8 x 10(-5) mol/kg CdCl2 was injected subcutaneously into Japanese White Rabbits (male, 3.5 kg) for five days. Twenty-four hours after the last CdCl2 injection, the bone marrow, liver and kidney were removed immediately and frozen. The fractions of metal-binding protein were obtained by gel filtration (Sephadex G-75) of cytosol from the tissues of Cd-treated rabbit. They were heat-stable and low molecular-weight (under 10 kDa) proteins. They had high absorption at 250 nm. These observations suggest that the injection of CdCl2 induced MT-like protein in bone marrow.
Insights
Metallothionein (MT) is a protein induced by heavy metals. This study found MT-like proteins in rabbit bone marrow after cadmium exposure, expanding knowledge beyond the liver and kidney.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Toxicology
- Cell Biology
Context:
- Metallothionein (MT) is a low molecular-weight protein known to be induced by heavy metals.
- Research primarily focuses on MT in the liver and kidney, with limited understanding of its presence in bone marrow.
- Heavy metal exposure, such as cadmium, can impact various organs and cellular processes.
Purpose:
- To characterize the metallothionein-like (MT-like) protein in rabbit bone marrow following cadmium chloride (CdCl2) injection.
- To investigate the biochemical properties of MT-like proteins in bone marrow cytosol.
- To compare MT induction in bone marrow with that in known target organs like the liver and kidney.
Summary:
- Japanese White Rabbits were injected with CdCl2 (8 x 10(-5) mol/kg) subcutaneously for five days.
- Bone marrow, liver, and kidney tissues were collected 24 hours post-injection.
- Gel filtration of cytosol revealed heat-stable, low molecular-weight (under 10 kDa) metal-binding protein fractions with high absorbance at 250 nm, characteristic of MT.
Impact:
- Demonstrates the induction of MT-like protein in bone marrow by cadmium exposure.
- Suggests bone marrow as a potential site for MT synthesis and heavy metal detoxification.
- Highlights the need for further research into the role and function of MT in bone marrow under toxicological conditions.