Evolution of metallotionein isoforms complexes in hepatic cells of Mus musculus along cadmium exposure

Homo- and Heteronuclear Group 12 Metallothionein Type B Cluster Analogs: Synthesis, Structure, 1H NMR and ESI-MS

Metallothioneins (MTs) are a ubiquitous class of small cysteine-rich metal-binding proteins involved in metal homeostasis and detoxification with highly versatile metal binding properties. Despite the long-standing association of MT with M₃S₃ and M₄S₅ metal clusters, synthetic complexes with these core architectures are exceptionally rare. Here, we demonstrate an approach to synthesizing and characterizing aggregates of group 12 metal ions with monocyclic M₃S₃ cores in acetonitrile solution without the protection of a protein. Multidentate monothiol ligand N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-2-aminoethanethiol (L1H) provided [Cd₃(L1)₃](ClO₄)₃ (1), the first structurally characterized nonproteinaceous aggregate with a metallothionein-like monocyclic Cd₃S₃ core. In addition, [Zn₃(L1)₃](ClO₄)₃·4CH₃CN (2·4CH₃CN) was characterized by X-ray crystallography. The complex cations of 1 and 2 had comparable structures despite being nonisomorphic. Variable temperature and concentration ¹H NMR were used to investigate aggregation equilibria of 1, 2, and a precipitate with composition "Hg(L1)(ClO₄)" (3). Cryogenic ¹H NMR studies of 3 revealed a J(¹⁹⁹Hg¹H) coupling constant pattern consistent with an aggregate possessing a cyclic core. ESI-MS was used for gas-phase characterization of 1-3, as well as mixed-metal [M₂M'(L1)₃(ClO₄)₂]⁺ ions prepared in situ by pairwise acetonitrile solution combinations of the group 12 complexes of L1. Access to synthetic variants of metallothionein-like group 12 aggregates provides an additional approach to understanding their behavior.

The Bioinorganic Chemistry of Mammalian Metallothioneins

The functions, purposes, and roles of metallothioneins have been the subject of speculations since the discovery of the protein over 60 years ago. This article guides through the history of investigations and resolves multiple contentions by providing new interpretations of the structure-stability-function relationship. It challenges the dogma that the biologically relevant structure of the mammalian proteins is only the one determined by X-ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy. The terms metallothionein and thionein are ambiguous and insufficient to understand biological function. The proteins need to be seen in their biological context, which limits and defines the chemistry possible. They exist in multiple forms with different degrees of metalation and types of metal ions. The homoleptic thiolate coordination of mammalian metallothioneins is important for their molecular mechanism. It endows the proteins with redox activity and a specific pH dependence of their metal affinities. The proteins, therefore, also exist in different redox states of the sulfur donor ligands. Their coordination dynamics allows a vast conformational landscape for interactions with other proteins and ligands. Many fundamental signal transduction pathways regulate the expression of the dozen of human metallothionein genes. Recent advances in understanding the control of cellular zinc and copper homeostasis are the foundation for suggesting that mammalian metallothioneins provide a highly dynamic, regulated, and uniquely biological metal buffer to control the availability, fluctuations, and signaling transients of the most competitive Zn(II) and Cu(I) ions in cellular space and time.

A chemometric-assisted voltammetric analysis of free and Zn(II)-loaded metallothionein-3 states

We focused on the application of mass spectrometry and electrochemical methods combined with a chemometric analysis for the characterization of partially metallothionein-3 species. The results showed decreased Cat1 and Cat2 signals for the Zn(II)-loaded MT3 species with respect to the metal-free protein, which might be explained by the arrangement of tetrahedral metal-thiolate coordination environments and the formation of metal clusters. Moreover, there was a decrease in the Cat1 and Cat2 signals, and a plateau was reached with 4-5 Zn(II) ions that corresponded to the formation of the C-terminal α-domain. Regarding the Zn_7-xMT3 complexes, we observed three different electrochemical behaviours for the Zn_1-2MT3, Zn_3-6MT3 and Zn₇MT3 species. The difference for Zn_1-2MT3 might be explained by the formation of independent ZnS₄ cores in this stage that differ with respect to the formation of Zn_xCys_y clusters with an increased Zn(II) loading. The binding of the third Zn(II) ion to MT3 resulted in high sample heterogeneity due the co-existence of Zn_3-6MT3. Finally, the Zn₇MT3 protein showed a third type of behaviour. The fact that there were no free Cys residues might explain this phenomenon. Thus, this research identifies the major proteins responsible for zinc buffering in the cell.

The Functions of Metamorphic Metallothioneins in Zinc and Copper Metabolism

Recent discoveries in zinc biology provide a new platform for discussing the primary physiological functions of mammalian metallothioneins (MTs) and their exquisite zinc-dependent regulation. It is now understood that the control of cellular zinc homeostasis includes buffering of Zn²⁺ ions at picomolar concentrations, extensive subcellular re-distribution of Zn²⁺, the loading of exocytotic vesicles with zinc species, and the control of Zn²⁺ ion signalling. In parallel, characteristic features of human MTs became known: their graded affinities for Zn²⁺ and the redox activity of their thiolate coordination environments. Unlike the single species that structural models of mammalian MTs describe with a set of seven divalent or eight to twelve monovalent metal ions, MTs are metamorphic. In vivo, they exist as many species differing in redox state and load with different metal ions. The functions of mammalian MTs should no longer be considered elusive or enigmatic because it is now evident that the reactivity and coordination dynamics of MTs with Zn²⁺ and Cu⁺ match the biological requirements for controlling—binding and delivering—these cellular metal ions, thus completing a 60-year search for their functions. MT represents a unique biological principle for buffering the most competitive essential metal ions Zn²⁺ and Cu⁺. How this knowledge translates to the function of other families of MTs awaits further insights into the specifics of how their properties relate to zinc and copper metabolism in other organisms.

Cadmium Protection Strategies--A Hidden Trade-Off?

Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential transition metal which is introduced into the biosphere by various anthropogenic activities. Environmental pollution with Cd poses a major health risk and Cd toxicity has been extensively researched over the past decades. This review aims at changing the perspective by discussing protection mechanisms available to counteract a Cd insult. Antioxidants, induction of antioxidant enzymes, and complexation of Cd to glutathione (GSH) and metallothionein (MT) are the most potent protective measures to cope with Cd-induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, protection mechanisms include prevention of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, mitophagy and metabolic stress, as well as expression of chaperones. Pre-exposure to Cd itself, or co-exposure to other metals or trace elements can improve viability under Cd exposure and cells have means to reduce Cd uptake and improve Cd removal. Finally, environmental factors have negative or positive effects on Cd toxicity. Most protection mechanisms aim at preventing cellular damage. However, this might not be possible without trade-offs like an increased risk of carcinogenesis.

Omics technologies and their applications to evaluate metal toxicity in mice M. spretus as a bioindicator

Metals are important components of living organisms since many biological functions critically depend on their interaction with some metal in the cell. However, human activities have increased toxic metal levels in the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems affecting living organisms. The impact of metals on cellular metabolism and global homeostasis has been traditionally assessed in free-living organisms by using conventional biomarkers; however, to obtain a global vision of metal toxicity mechanisms and the responses that metals elicit in the organisms, new analytical methodologies are needed. We review the use of omics approaches to assess the response of living organisms under metal stress illustrating the possibilities of different methodologies on the basis of our previous results. Most of this research has been based on free-living mice Mus spretus, a conventional bioindicator used to monitor metal pollution in Doñana National Park (DNP) (SW Spain), which is an important European biological reserve for migrating birds affected by agricultural, mining and industrial activities. The benefits of using omic techniques such as heterologous microarrays, proteomics methodologies (2-DE, iTRAQ®), metallomics, ionomics or metabolomics has been remarked; however, the complexity of these areas requires the integration of omics to achieve a comprehensive assessment of their environmental status. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Environmental and structural proteomics.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

This work presents new contributions in the study of environmental metal pollution in terrestrial ecosystems using Mus spretus mice as bioindicator in Doñana National Park (SW Spain) and surroundings. In addition, it has been demonstrated that the integration of omics multi-analytical approaches provides a very suitable approach for the study of the biological response and metal interactions in exposed and free-living mice (Mus musculus and Mus spretus, respectively) under metal pollution.

Cadmium toxicity in Mus musculus mice based on a metallomic study. Antagonistic interaction between Se and Cd in the bloodstream

Cadmium (Cd) is an important inorganic toxicant in the environment which impacts on human health. A metallomic approach based on size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled to inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and multidimensional chromatography separation based on SEC coupled to affinity chromatography 2D-SEC-AF-ICP-MS have been applied to achieve a better understanding of the function, detoxification processes and regulation of metals in mice (Mus musculus) under controlled exposure to both Cd and Cd plus (77)Se. Isotopic dilution analysis (IDA) was performed to quantify selenium containing proteins in mice plasma with ICP-qMS as a multielemental detector. Additionally, isotope pattern deconvolution (IPD) was applied to study the fate of enriched (77)selenite in mice subjected to cadmium exposure and the effect of selenoprotein production in plasma. Moreover, the affinity of Cd for SeP in plasma of mice was corroborated using anion exchange chromatography (AEC) after AF separation and identified by organic mass spectrometry. This work illustrates the high reliability of the integrated use of inorganic and organic mass spectrometry to get a metallomic approximation, which provides a good alternative to gain deep insight into the fate of elements in exposed organisms, providing information about metal trafficking, interactions and homeostasis.

A combination of metallomics and metabolomics studies to evaluate the effects of metal interactions in mammals. Application to Mus musculus mice under arsenic/cadmium exposure

Arsenic and cadmium are toxic metals of environmental significance with harmful effects on man. To study the toxicological and biochemical effects of arsenic/cadmium in mammals a combined metallomic and metabolomic approach has been developed, complemented with the measurement of biochemical parameters in blood and histopathological evaluation of liver injury in mice Mus musculus under exposure to both xenobiotics. Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) was combined with affinity chromatography (AF) and ICP-MS detection using species unspecific isotopic dilution analysis (SUID) to characterize the biological effects of As/Cd on selenium containing proteins in the bloodstream of exposed mice. On the other hand, both direct infusion mass spectrometry (DIMS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) provided information about changes in metabolites caused by metals. The results show that As/Cd exposure produces interactions in the distribution of both toxics between organs and plasma of mice and antagonistic interactions with selenium containing proteins in the bloodstream. Interplay with essential metabolic pathways, such as energy metabolism and breakdown of membrane phospholipids were observed, which are more pronounced under As/Cd exposure. In addition, heavy metal and metalloid causes differential liver injury, manifested by steatosis (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, NAFLD) and infiltration of blood cells into the space of Disse.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

This work presents new contributions in the study of arsenic/cadmium interactions in mice Mus musculus under controlled exposure. With the combination of metallomic and metabolomic approaches the traffic of As and Cd from liver to kidney by means of blood was observed and excretion of As (as arsenic metabolites) or Cd (as MTCd) is inhibited with the simultaneous administration of As/Cd, and these toxic elements have important influence in the levels of seleno-proteins in the plasma. In addition, the metabolomic approach reveals inhibition of different metabolic cycles such as tricarboxylic acid and phospholipid degradation that causes membrane damage and apoptosis that is histopathologically confirmed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Environmental and structural proteomics.