Metallothionein 1 isoform gene expression induced by cadmium in human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

OBJECTIVE To study the gene expression of metallothionein 1 (MT-1) isoforms in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBLs). METHODS The expression of mRNA representing the seven active MT-1 genes was determined in HPBLs by quantitative RT-PCR before and after exposure to cadmium. RESULTS Basal expressions of MT-1X, and MT-1A in HPBLs were similar to expression of housekeeping gene. In contrast, the basal gene expressions of MT-1H, 1F, 1E, and 1G were a little transcripts in human HPBLs. No signal was detected for MT-1B. There was a sex difference (P < 0.05). in basal gene expression of MT-1E. The levels of gene expression of MT-1A, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, and 1X increased, but the level of MT-1B did not increase after exposure to cadmium. CONCLUSIONS Gene expressions of MT-1G, MT-1H, MT-1F, and MT-1X in HPBLs can be used as a potential biomarker of cadmium exposure.