Organ-specific metallothionein induction in mice by X irradiation

Journal Article · Tue Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Radiation Research; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3577626· OSTI ID:5472455

Koropatnick, J; Leibbrand, M; Cherian, M G ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Western Ontario, London (Canada)

Metallothioneins (MTs) are induced in cultured cells and experimental animal tissues by a variety of chemical agents. We report that whole-body X irradiation (1 to 80 Gy) induces MT-1 mRNA transcription and protein expression and accumulation in liver but not in kidney or spleen. The degree of induction was comparable to maximum levels achieved after treatment with metal salts, but the peak of MT-1 mRNA and protein accumulation was approximately 10 h later than with treatment with metal salts and remained high for an extended period. Because of the lack of induction of MT-1 by X rays in cultured cells, and the similarity of the tissue pattern of MT induction between X rays and other agents that also do not induce MT expression in cultured cells, it appears that these agents may act through the mediation of tissue-specific factors. The implications of radiation-induced metallothionein synthesis and organ-specific resistance to cellular damage are discussed.

• OSTI ID: 5472455
• Journal Information: Radiation Research; (USA), Journal Name: Radiation Research; (USA) Vol. 119:2; ISSN 0033-7587; ISSN RAREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560152* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Animals
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOSYNTHESIS
BODY
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EXTERNAL IRRADIATION
GLANDS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
IRRADIATION
KIDNEYS
LIVER
MAMMALS
MESSENGER-RNA
METALLOPROTEINS
METALLOTHIONEIN
MICE
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PROTEINS
RADIATIONS
RADIOINDUCTION
RNA
RODENTS
SPECIFICITY
SPLEEN
SYNTHESIS
TRANSCRIPTION
VERTEBRATES
WHOLE-BODY IRRADIATION
X RADIATION