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Hidalgo J, Penkowa M, Espejo C, Martínez-Cáceres EM, Carrasco J, Quintana A, Molinero A, Florit S, Giralt M, Ortega-Aznar A. Expression of Metallothionein-I, -II, and -III in Alzheimer Disease and Animal Models of Neuroinflammation. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2016; 231:1450-8. [PMID: 17018866 DOI: 10.1177/153537020623100902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years it has become increasingly clear that the metallothionein (MT) family of proteins is important in neurobiology. MT-I and MT-II are normally dramatically up-regulated by neuroinflammation. Results for MT-III are less clear. MTs could also be relevant in human neuropathology. In Alzheimer disease (AD), a major neurodegenerative disease, clear signs of inflammation and oxidative stress were detected associated with amyloid plaques. Furthermore, the number of cells expressing apoptotic markers was also significantly increased in these plaques. As expected, MT-I and MT-II immunostaining was dramatically increased in cells surrounding the plaques, consistent with astrocytosis and microgliosis, as well as the increased oxidative stress elicited by the amyloid deposits. MT-III, In contrast, remained essentially unaltered, which agrees with some but not all studies, of AD. In situ hybridization results in a transgenic mouse model of AD amyloid deposits, the Tg2576 mouse, which expresses human Aβ precursor protein harboring the Swedish K670N/M671L mutations, are in accordance with results in human brains. Overall, these and other studies strongly suggest specific roles for MT-I, MT-II, and MT-III in brain physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Hidalgo
- Institute of Neurosciences, Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Animal Physiology Unit, Faculty of Sciences, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain 08193.
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Lynes MA, Zaffuto K, Unfricht DW, Marusov G, Samson JS, Yin X. The Physiological Roles of Extracellular Metallothionein. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2016; 231:1548-54. [PMID: 17018879 DOI: 10.1177/153537020623100915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Metallothionein (MT) is a low-molecular-weight protein with a number of roles to play in cellular homeostasis. MT is synthesized as a consequence of a variety of cellular stressors, and has been found in both intracellular compartments and in extracellular spaces. The intracellular pool of this cysteine-rich protein can act as a reservoir of essential heavy metals, as a scavenger of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, as an antagonist of toxic metals and organic molecules, and as a regulator of transcription factor activity. The presence of MT outside of cells due to the Influence of stressors suggests that this protein may make important contributions as a “danger signal” that influences the management of responses to cellular damage. While conventional wisdom has held that extracellular MT is the result of cell death or leakage from stressed cells, there are numerous examples of selective release of proteins by nontraditional mechanisms, including stress response proteins. This suggests that MT may similarly be selectively released, and that the pool of extracellular MT represents an important regulator of various cellular functions. For example, extracellular MT has effects both on the severity of autoimmune disease, and on the development of adaptive immune functions. Extracellular MT may operate as a chemotactic factor that governs the trafficking of inflammatory cells that move to resolve damaged tissues, as a counter to extracellular oxidant-mediated damage, and as a signal that influences the functional behavior of wounded cells. A thorough understanding of the mechanisms of MT release from cells, the conditions under which MT is released to the extracellular environment, and the ways in which MT Interacts with sensitive cells may both illuminate our understanding of an important control mechanism that operates in stressful conditions, and should indicate new opportunities for therapeutic management via the manipulation of this pool of extracellular MT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Lynes
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269-3125, USA.
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Gomulkiewicz A, Jablonska K, Pula B, Grzegrzolka J, Borska S, Podhorska-Okolow M, Wojnar A, Rys J, Ambicka A, Ugorski M, Zabel M, Dziegiel P. Expression of metallothionein 3 in ductal breast cancer. Int J Oncol 2016; 49:2487-2497. [PMID: 27840910 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2016.3759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Metallothionein 3 (MT-3) has the ability to regulate the growth of nerve cells, but the significance of MT-3 expression outside the central nervous system and its participation in carcinogenesis have not yet been clarified. The aim of our study was to investigate the expression of MT-3 in ductal breast cancer and to determine its relationship with well-defined clinicopathological factors in this type of tumor. The study was conducted on 134 cases of invasive ductal breast carcinoma (IDC), 42 samples of non-malignant breast tissue (NMBT), and 26 cases of mastopathy. Moreover, selected breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, SKBR-3, MDA-MB-231, BO2) and normal human breast epithelial cells (hTERT-HME1) were used. The expression of MT-3 was examined on the protein level using immunohistochemistry and on the mRNA level using real-time PCR. It was shown that the MT-3 protein in cells of IDC and mastopathy appeared in the cytoplasm as well as in the cell nuclei. Both the cytoplasmic and nuclear expression of MT-3 was significantly lower in IDC than in the mastopathies (p<0.0001 and p<0.001). However, no significant correlation was demonstrated between the level of MT-3 protein and the studied clinicopathological factors. The mRNA expression of MT-3 in IDC was also lower than in non‑malignant breast tissue (p<0.0001). Furthermore, in the cases of IDC with lymph node metastasis, the level of MT-3 mRNA was significantly lower than in the cases without metastasis (p=0.0199). The expression of MT-3 mRNA in breast cancer cell lines was significantly lower than in the normal human breast epithelial cell line (p<0.001). These results suggest that MT-3 may play a role in the malignant transformation of breast epithelial cells and in tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karolina Jablonska
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Bartosz Pula
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Jedrzej Grzegrzolka
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Sylwia Borska
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | | | - Andrzej Wojnar
- Department of Pathomorphology, Lower Silesian Oncology Centre, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Janusz Rys
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Centre of Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Institute, Cracow Branch, Cracow, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Ambicka
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Centre of Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Institute, Cracow Branch, Cracow, Poland
| | - Maciej Ugorski
- Department of Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Zabel
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Dziegiel
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
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Lago N, Quintana A, Carrasco J, Giralt M, Hidalgo J, Molinero A. Absence of metallothionein-3 produces changes on MT-1/2 regulation in basal conditions and alters hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Neurochem Int 2014; 74:65-73. [PMID: 24969724 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2014.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2014] [Revised: 06/05/2014] [Accepted: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Metallothioneins (MTs) are multipurpose proteins with clear antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and metal homeostasis properties. The roles of brain MT-1 and MT-2 are similar to those described in the periphery, and are inducible by metals, inflammatory and stress stimuli. MT-3, originally named growth inhibitory factor, exists mainly in the central nervous system, is hardly ever inducible and its functional role and regulation are poorly understood and controversial. In the present study we examined how absence of MT-3 affects phenotypic characteristics and its effects on MT1/2 expression in basal situation and after induction. Hyperactive behavior was found only in young male Mt-3 KO mice and disappeared in the older ones. Absence of MT-3 was associated with a significant increase of MT-1/2 protein levels in several brain areas but decreased MT-1 mRNA levels, which might be related to lower corticosterone levels. The response to stress or inflammation on corticosterone plasma levels was similar in wild type and Mt-3 KO mice, suggesting that the relevant MT-3 role as MT-1/2 regulator in basal conditions is lost when other important regulatory factors such as glucocorticoids or cytokines appear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Lago
- Institute of Neurosciences and Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Quintana
- Institute of Neurosciences and Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Carrasco
- Institute of Neurosciences and Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mercedes Giralt
- Institute of Neurosciences and Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Hidalgo
- Institute of Neurosciences and Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Amalia Molinero
- Institute of Neurosciences and Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.
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Manso Y, Carrasco J, Comes G, Meloni G, Adlard PA, Bush AI, Vašák M, Hidalgo J. Characterization of the role of metallothionein-3 in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 2012; 69:3683-700. [PMID: 22722772 PMCID: PMC11114720 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-012-1047-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2012] [Revised: 05/21/2012] [Accepted: 05/31/2012] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Among the dementias, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most commonly diagnosed, but there are still no effective drugs available for its treatment. It has been suggested that metallothionein-3 (MT-3) could be somehow involved in the etiology of AD, and in fact very promising results have been found in in vitro studies, but the role of MT-3 in vivo needs further analysis. In this study, we analyzed the role of MT-3 in a mouse model of AD, Tg2576 mice, which overexpress human Amyloid Precursor Protein (hAPP) with the Swedish mutation. MT-3 deficiency partially rescued the APP-induced mortality of females, and mildly affected APP-induced changes in behavior assessed in the hole-board and plus-maze tests in a gender-dependent manner. Amyloid plaque burden and/or hAPP expression were decreased in the cortex and hippocampus of MT-3-deficient females. Interestingly, exogenously administered Zn(7)MT-3 increased soluble Aβ40 and Aβ42 and amyloid plaques and gliosis, particularly in the cortex, and changed several behavioral traits (increased deambulation and exploration and decreased anxiety). These results highlight that the control of the endogenous production and/or action of MT-3 could represent a powerful therapeutic target in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmina Manso
- Unidad de Fisiología Animal, Departamento de Biología Celular, Fisiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Biociencias, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Edificio C, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Carrasco
- Unidad de Fisiología Animal, Departamento de Biología Celular, Fisiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Biociencias, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Edificio C, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Comes
- Unidad de Fisiología Animal, Departamento de Biología Celular, Fisiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Biociencias, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Edificio C, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gabriele Meloni
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Present Address: Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125 USA
| | - Paul A. Adlard
- Oxidation Biology Laboratory, The Mental Health Research Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052 Australia
- Synaptic Neurobiology Laboratory, The Mental Health Research Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052 Australia
| | - Ashley I. Bush
- Synaptic Neurobiology Laboratory, The Mental Health Research Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052 Australia
| | - Milan Vašák
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Juan Hidalgo
- Unidad de Fisiología Animal, Departamento de Biología Celular, Fisiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Biociencias, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Edificio C, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
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Sohn EJ, Kim DW, Kim MJ, Jeong HJ, Shin MJ, Ahn EH, Kwon SW, Kim YN, Kim DS, Han KH, Park J, Hwang HS, Eum WS, Choi SY. PEP-1–metallothionein-III protein ameliorates the oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell death and brain ischemic insults. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2012; 1820:1647-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2012.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2011] [Revised: 06/06/2012] [Accepted: 06/19/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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He J, Huang C, Jiang J, Lv L. Propofol exerts hippocampal neuron protective effects via up-regulation of metallothionein-3. Neurol Sci 2012; 34:165-71. [DOI: 10.1007/s10072-012-0978-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2011] [Accepted: 02/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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8
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Santos CRA, Martinho A, Quintela T, Gonçalves I. Neuroprotective and neuroregenerative properties of metallothioneins. IUBMB Life 2011; 64:126-35. [DOI: 10.1002/iub.585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2011] [Accepted: 09/09/2011] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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9
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Hashimoto K, Hayashi Y, Watabe K, Inuzuka T, Hozumi I. Metallothionein-III prevents neuronal death and prolongs life span in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis model mice. Neuroscience 2011; 189:293-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2011] [Revised: 04/17/2011] [Accepted: 05/13/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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West AK, Leung JYK, Chung RS. Neuroprotection and regeneration by extracellular metallothionein via lipoprotein-receptor-related proteins. J Biol Inorg Chem 2011; 16:1115-22. [DOI: 10.1007/s00775-011-0817-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2011] [Accepted: 07/05/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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11
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Martinho A, Gonçalves I, Cardoso I, Almeida MR, Quintela T, Saraiva MJ, Santos CRA. Human metallothioneins 2 and 3 differentially affect amyloid-beta binding by transthyretin. FEBS J 2010; 277:3427-36. [PMID: 20646067 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2010.07749.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR), an amyloid-beta (Abeta) scavenger protein, and metallothioneins 2 and 3 (MT2 and MT3), low molecular weight metal-binding proteins, have recognized impacts in Abeta metabolism. Because TTR binds MT2, an ubiquitous isoform of the MTs, we investigated whether it also interacts with MT3, an isoform of the MTs predominantly expressed in the brain, and studied the role of MT2 and MT3 in human TTR-Abeta binding. The TTR-MT3 interaction was characterized by yeast two-hybrid assays, saturation-binding assays, co-immunolocalization and co-immunoprecipitation. The effect of MT2 and MT3 on TTR-Abeta binding was assessed by competition-binding assays. The results obtained clearly demonstrate that TTR interacts with MT3 with a K(d) of 373.7 +/- 60.2 nm. Competition-binding assays demonstrated that MT2 diminishes TTR-Abeta binding, whereas MT3 has the opposite effect. In addition to identifying a novel ligand for TTR that improves human TTR-Abeta binding, the present study highlights the need to clarify whether the effects of MT2 and MT3 in human TTR-Abeta binding observed in vitro have a relevant impact on Abeta deposition in animal models of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Martinho
- Health Sciences Research Centre, CICS, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
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12
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Howells C, West AK, Chung RS. Neuronal growth-inhibitory factor (metallothionein-3): evaluation of the biological function of growth-inhibitory factor in the injured and neurodegenerative brain. FEBS J 2010; 277:2931-9. [PMID: 20561053 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2010.07718.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Neuronal growth-inhibitory factor, later renamed metallothionein-3, is one of four members of the mammalian metallothionein family. Metallothioneins are a family of ubiquitous, low-molecular-weight, cysteine-rich proteins. Although neuronal growth-inhibitory factor shares metal-binding and reactive oxygen species scavenging properties with the other metallothioneins, it displays several distinct biological properties. In this review, we examine the recent developments regarding the function of neuronal growth-inhibitory factor within the brain, particularly in response to brain injury or during neurodegenerative disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Howells
- Menzies Research Institute, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
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Pountney DL, Dickson TC, Power JHT, Vickers JC, West AJ, Gai WP. Association of Metallothionein-III with Oligodendroglial Cytoplasmic Inclusions in Multiple System Atrophy. Neurotox Res 2009; 19:115-22. [DOI: 10.1007/s12640-009-9146-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2009] [Revised: 12/11/2009] [Accepted: 12/15/2009] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Koumura A, Kakefuda K, Honda A, Ito Y, Tsuruma K, Shimazawa M, Uchida Y, Hozumi I, Satoh M, Inuzuka T, Hara H. Metallothionein-3 deficient mice exhibit abnormalities of psychological behaviors. Neurosci Lett 2009; 467:11-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2009.09.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2009] [Revised: 09/24/2009] [Accepted: 09/25/2009] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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15
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Hashimoto K, Hayashi Y, Inuzuka T, Hozumi I. Exercise induces metallothioneins in mouse spinal cord. Neuroscience 2009; 163:244-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2009.05.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2009] [Revised: 05/24/2009] [Accepted: 05/27/2009] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Koumura A, Hamanaka J, Shimazawa M, Honda A, Tsuruma K, Uchida Y, Hozumi I, Satoh M, Inuzuka T, Hara H. Metallothionein-III knockout mice aggravates the neuronal damage after transient focal cerebral ischemia. Brain Res 2009; 1292:148-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2009.07.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2009] [Revised: 07/14/2009] [Accepted: 07/16/2009] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Hozumi I, Yamada M, Uchida Y, Ozawa K, Takahashi H, Inuzuka T. The expression of metallothioneins is diminished in the spinal cords of patients with sporadic ALS. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 9:294-8. [DOI: 10.1080/17482960801934312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Minami T, Miyata E, Sakamoto Y, Kohama A, Yamazaki H, Ichida S. Expression of metallothionein mRNAs on mouse cerebellum microglia cells by thimerosal and its metabolites. Toxicology 2009; 261:25-32. [PMID: 19386279 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2009.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2009] [Revised: 04/08/2009] [Accepted: 04/13/2009] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Effects of thimerosal and its metabolites, ethyl mercury and thiosalicylate, on the expression of metallothionein (MT) mRNAs in mouse cerebellum microglia cell line, C8-B4 cells, were studied. The level of MT-1 mRNA significantly decreased at early hours and recovered time-dependently 24h after thimerosal was added to the C8-B4 cells. However, MT-2 and MT-3 mRNA expressions did not change from the control group. In contrast, the expression of MT-1 mRNA increased in a mouse neuroblastoma cell line 6h after incubation with thimerosal. In addition, the level of MT-1 mRNA decreased in C8-B4 cells 6h after the addition of thiosalicylate, but ethyl mercury induced MT-1 mRNA expression. When cell viability was compared with thimerosal, thiosalicylate, and ethyl mercury, the viability of C8-B4 cells decreased dose-dependently 24h after either thimerosal or ethyl mercury was added; however, the viability increased dose-dependently until 15 microM thiosalicylate was added. From the present results, it is concluded that the expression of MT-1 mRNA may be mediated by different factors than the expression of MT-2 mRNA in C8-B4 cells. The reduction of MT-1 mRNA level by thiosalicylate may affect the proliferation of C8-B4 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Minami
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Science & Engineering, Kinki University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashi-osaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan.
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Minami T, Miyata E, Sakamoto Y, Yamazaki H, Ichida S. Induction of metallothionein in mouse cerebellum and cerebrum with low-dose thimerosal injection. Cell Biol Toxicol 2009; 26:143-52. [PMID: 19357975 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-009-9124-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2009] [Accepted: 03/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Thimerosal, an ethyl mercury compound, is used worldwide as a vaccine preservative. We previously observed that the mercury concentration in mouse brains did not increase with the clinical dose of thimerosal injection, but the concentration increased in the brain after the injection of thimerosal with lipopolysaccharide, even if a low dose of thimerosal was administered. Thimerosal may penetrate the brain, but is undetectable when a clinical dose of thimerosal is injected; therefore, the induction of metallothionein (MT) messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein was observed in the cerebellum and cerebrum of mice after thimerosal injection, as MT is an inducible protein. MT-1 mRNA was expressed at 6 and 9 h in both the cerebrum and cerebellum, but MT-1 mRNA expression in the cerebellum was three times higher than that in the cerebrum after the injection of 12 microg/kg thimerosal. MT-2 mRNA was not expressed until 24 h in both organs. MT-3 mRNA was expressed in the cerebellum from 6 to 15 h after the injection, but not in the cerebrum until 24 h. MT-1 and MT-3 mRNAs were expressed in the cerebellum in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, MT-1 protein was detected from 6 to 72 h in the cerebellum after 12 microg/kg of thimerosal was injected and peaked at 10 h. MT-2 was detected in the cerebellum only at 10 h. In the cerebrum, little MT-1 protein was detected at 10 and 24 h, and there were no peaks of MT-2 protein in the cerebrum. In conclusion, MT-1 and MT-3 mRNAs but not MT-2 mRNA are easily expressed in the cerebellum rather than in the cerebrum by the injection of low-dose thimerosal. It is thought that the cerebellum is a sensitive organ against thimerosal. As a result of the present findings, in combination with the brain pathology observed in patients diagnosed with autism, the present study helps to support the possible biological plausibility for how low-dose exposure to mercury from thimerosal-containing vaccines may be associated with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Minami
- Department of Life Sciences, Kinki University, Higashi-osaka, Osaka, Japan.
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Hozumi I, Suzuki JS, Kanazawa H, Hara A, Saio M, Inuzuka T, Miyairi S, Naganuma A, Tohyama C. Metallothionein-3 is expressed in the brain and various peripheral organs of the rat. Neurosci Lett 2008; 438:54-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2008.04.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2007] [Revised: 04/04/2008] [Accepted: 04/08/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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21
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Kim HG, Hwang YP, Jeong HG. Metallothionein-III induces HIF-1α-mediated VEGF expression in brain endothelial cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2008; 369:666-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2008.02.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2008] [Accepted: 02/15/2008] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Abstract
Metallothionein (MT), a ubiquitous family of low-molecular weight metal-binding proteins, comprises 30% cysteine residues. Although all of the thiol residues in MT are bound to metals, it still remains active to reactive oxygen species. Each cysteine residue in MT is more effective at protecting DNA from hydroxyl radical attack than the glutathione cysteine in vitro. Prooxidative agents such as paraquat and carbon tetrachloride induce MT synthesis mediated by some responsive elements. MT demonstrates strong antioxidant properties, yet the physiological relevance of its antioxidant action is not clear. An injection of ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA), which produces reactive oxygen species, caused transcriptional induction of MT synthesis in the liver and kidney. Pretreatment of mice with Zn attenuated nephrotoxicity induced by Fe-NTA. After a Fe-NTA injection, a loss of Cd-binding properties of preinduced MT was observed only in kidneys of Zn-pretreated mice but not in liver. MT-enriched hepatocytes are resistant to Fe-NTA toxicity, oxidative DNA, and cell damage during conditions of glutathione depletion. In glutathione-depleted cells, but not in non-treated cells, Cd-binding properties of cellular MT decreased with increasing concentration of Fe-NTA. Moreover, Cd released from MT after an injection of Fe-NTA induced new MT protein again. Thus MT may act as a secondary antioxidant in cellular protection system against oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyong-Son Min
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Osaka Ohtani University, Tondabayashi City, Japan.
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