Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hai-tao Yu, Juan Zhen, Ji-yan Leng, Lu Cai, Hong-lei Ji, Bradley B. Keller
Summary: Cadmium is a significant environmental pollutant linked to various health issues, while zinc has been shown to alleviate cadmium toxicity through mechanisms like direct competition for cellular uptake and induction of protective mechanisms. Future research directions on the role of zinc and metal transporters in reducing cadmium toxicity are discussed in this review.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Roger H. Tang, Peter D. Erskine, Philip Nti Nkrumah, Guillaume Echevarria, Antony van der Ent
Summary: Metallophytes are plants that can tolerate extreme metal concentrations in soil. A study on the Dugald River gossan in Australia found that there was no direct relationship between the occurrence of metallophytes and prevailing soil metal concentrations. Crotalaria novae-hollandiae was identified as a strong polymetallic indicator-type metallophyte that can accumulate high concentrations of metals in its leaves.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Milena Sciskalska, Monika Oldakowska, Halina Milnerowicz
Summary: This study evaluated the changes in metallothionein concentration in the blood of patients with acute pancreatitis and healthy subjects. It also analyzed the impact of single-nucleotide polymorphisms on MT concentration and their association with metals and ceruloplasmin levels, as well as markers of inflammation and parameters describing the pro/antioxidative balance. The investigated polymorphisms in MT1A, MTIB, and MT2A genes appear to be important in maintaining homeostasis under oxidative stress conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Monica Nordberg, Gunnar F. Nordberg
Summary: This review summarizes the adverse effects of cadmium on human and animal health and emphasizes the importance of preventive measures. It specifically focuses on the role of metallothionein (MT) in cadmium toxicology and highlights the binding of cadmium to MT and the importance of the Cd/Zn ratio in kidney toxicity. The review calls for the application of these findings in risk assessment and preventive measures against cadmium exposures.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Poul Bjerregaard, Lars Bo Ekhart Jensen, Knud Ladegaard Pedersen
Summary: Research on metallothionein in shore crabs showed that the concentrations and inducibility of MT are related to heavy metal concentrations such as cadmium, and vary with crab size but not age.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY C-TOXICOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yujie Liu, Zixuan Wu, Kun Guo, Yongzhao Zhou, Kefan Xing, Jiaqi Zheng, Yuying Sun, Jiquan Zhang
Summary: Metallothioneins (MTs) are a conserved low-molecular-weight protein family that plays a role in heavy metal binding and detoxification. In this study, a gene called EcMT-1 was amplified from the genomic DNA of Exopalaenon carinicauda. EcMT-1 encodes a protein with 59 amino acids and contains 18 cysteine residues, which are characteristic of MTs. The expression of EcMT-1 was found to be highest in the hepatopancreas and was significantly increased after treatment with CdCl2 and CuSO4.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Anna Rola, Paulina Potok, Magdalena Mos, Elzbieta Gumienna-Kontecka, Slawomir Potocki
Summary: Infections caused by Candida species have become dangerous and difficult to cure due to sophisticated mechanisms of resistance. Understanding the mechanisms of metal homeostasis in Candida species is important. Two important factors, AMT1 and MAC1, are associated with metal homeostasis. By studying the properties of complexes formed by two model peptides with Zn(II) and Cd(II), we found significant differences in stability between the Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes of the peptides, indicating that Cd(II) is not an efficient surrogate for Zn(II).
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaolei Wei, Christer Hogstrand, Guanghui Chen, Wuhong Lv, Yufeng Song, Yichuang Xu, Zhi Luo
Summary: This study found that Zn activated lipophagy, alleviating Cu-induced lipid accumulation by promoting deacetylation of Beclin1. This previously unidentified mechanism sheds light on the antagonistic effects of Cu and Zn on metabolism at environmentally relevant concentrations. The importance of combined exposure and the role of Beclin1 deacetylation in promoting lipophagy were highlighted in understanding the biological effects of heavy metals during environmental risk assessments.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Yilin Zheng, Meng Cui, Lei Ni, Yafei Qin, Jinhua Li, Yu Pan, Xingguo Zhang
Summary: Metallothionein is a multifunctional protein that plays an important role in the growth and development of organisms and has applications in medicine and healthcare. This study successfully transformed the human metallothionein gene into tobacco, enhancing its accumulation capacity for zinc and cadmium and increasing its tolerance to these metals. The findings suggest that metallothionein can be used for phytoremediation of soil contaminated with heavy metals.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Jan Sacky, Jiri Cerny, Jiri Santrucek, Jan Borovicka, Tereza Leonhardt, Pavel Kotrba
Summary: Cystoderma carcharias is able to hyperaccumulate Cd and Cu in its sporocarps, with metallothionein peptides CcMT1 and CcMT2 playing different roles in metal binding and tolerance. CcMT1 is involved in storing both Cd and Cu, while CcMT2 is more adapted to dealing with Cu toxicity.
FUNGAL GENETICS AND BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Pei-Hong Zhang, Xue-Jie Zhang, Ting-Wei Tang, Heng-Liang Hu, Ning-Ning Bai, Da-Wei Zhang, Shuan Meng, Jia-Shi Peng
Summary: In this study, three genes (BnMT2-22a, BnMT2-22b, and BnMT3b) responsible for Cd accumulation and tolerance in oilseed rape were isolated. Expression of these genes in yeast showed enhanced tolerance to Cd and Cu, but had no effect on Mn and Zn tolerance. These genes may contribute to Cd detoxification through cytosolic chelation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ettore Priante, Edoardo Pietropoli, Elisabetta Piva, Gianfranco Santovito, Sophia Schumann, Paola Irato
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of zinc and the role of MTF-1 in cadmium-induced toxicity. The results suggest that zinc reduces cadmium content in co-treatments, possibly through competition for a common transporter. Additionally, zinc increases glutathione levels in co-treatments. MTF-1 is essential for the expression of MT-1.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jing Liu, Ermeng Wang, Ziru Cheng, Yuan Gao, Chienmin Chen, Ru Jia, Zhi Luo, Lan Wang
Summary: Cadmium (Cd) is a carcinogenic environmental pollutant that harms male reproductive systems, but the mitigating effects of zinc (Zn) on Cd-induced toxicity have not been fully elucidated. This study investigated the effects of Zn supplementation on Cd-exposed freshwater crabs. Cd exposure caused Cd accumulation, Zn deficiency, decreased sperm survival rate, poor sperm quality, altered ultrastructure, increased apoptosis, and elevated metallothionein (MT) expression in the testis. However, Zn supplementation effectively alleviated these effects by preventing Cd accumulation, increasing Zn bioavailability, alleviating apoptosis, decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and restoring MT distribution. Furthermore, Zn also regulated the expression of apoptosis-related genes and proteins, metal transporter-related genes, and MT expression. These findings provide important insights for the development of mitigation strategies for Cd contamination or poisoning.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lina Chouchene, Kaouthar Kessabi, Marie-Madeleine Gueguen, Olivier Kah, Farzad Pakdel, Imed Messaoudi
Summary: This study provides new insights into the mechanisms of cadmium-induced toxicity in zebrafish larvae and the potential role of zinc in reversing these harmful effects. The results suggest that cadmium interferes with zinc metabolism, leading to its depletion and oxidative stress. However, supplementation of zinc can partially reverse the toxic effects of cadmium, possibly through its interaction with the toxic metal and improvement of oxidative status.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Toxicology
Giovanni Castaldo, Vyshal Delahaut, Bart Slootmaekers, Lieven Bervoets, Raewyn M. Town, Ronny Blust, Gudrun De Boeck
Summary: This study compared the effects of waterborne copper, zinc, and cadmium on common carp, revealing different toxicities and impacts on ion levels and oxidative stress in the fish organism.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sara Calatayud, Mario Garcia-Risco, Veronika Pedrini-Martha, Douglas J. Eernisse, Reinhard Dallinger, Oscar Palacios, Merce Capdevila, Ricard Albalat
Summary: MTs are proteins dedicated to metal homeostasis and detoxification, with most molluskan MTs being bimodular proteins combining six domains in a lineage-specific manner. The evolution of mollusk MTs is impacted by duplication, loss, and de novo emergence of domains, representing a modular evolution for metal binding.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Kevin Morales, Sergi Rodriguez-Calado, Jordi Hernando, Julia Lorenzo, Antonio Rodriguez-Dieguez, Carlos Jaime, Pau Nolis, Merce Capdevila, Oscar Palacios, Marta Figueredo, Pau Bayon
Summary: This study presents the synthesis, characterization, photochemical properties, and cytotoxic activity of new semisquaraine-type Pt(II) complexes towards cisplatin-resistant cancer cell lines. The complexes showed promising photoactivatable properties, inducing a higher cytotoxic effect on tested cells compared to nonphotoactivated compounds. The mechanism of action of these complexes was studied, revealing a combined mode of action. The results suggest a therapeutically potential advantage of these photoactivated platinum complexes.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sara Calatayud, Mario Garcia-Risco, Veronika Pedrini-Martha, Michael Niederwanger, Reinhard Dallinger, Oscar Palacios, Merce Capdevila, Ricard Albalat
Summary: Protein domains are independent modules that can rearrange to create new proteins. Metallothioneins (MTs) consist of metal-binding domain repeats, some of which may have a de novo origin. We investigated two MTs from different classes of mollusks and found that they have different domain compositions and metal preferences, highlighting the role of modular architecture in protein evolution.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sandra Fernandez-Farina, Isabel Velo-Heleno, Rocio Carballido, Miguel Martinez-Calvo, Ramiro Barcia, Oscar Palacios, Merce Capdevila, Ana M. Gonzalez-Noya, Rosa Pedrido
Summary: This article reports on the design of three zinc helicates derived from bisthiosemicarbazone ligands with different terminal groups. The helicates were obtained using an electrochemical methodology and fully characterized using various techniques, including X-ray diffraction. Biological studies were conducted to assess the toxicity and interaction of these helicates with proteins and oligonucleotides, showing low toxicity and no covalent interaction. In vitro cytotoxicity tests were performed on various cancer cell lines, comparing the IC50 values with cisplatin, to evaluate the antitumor activity of the zinc helicates.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Quim Pena, Sergi Rodriguez-Calado, A. Jalila Simaan, Merce Capdevila, Pau Bayon, Oscar Palacios, Julia Lorenzo, Olga Iranzo
Summary: The study investigates the application of copper-based metal compounds in cancer treatment, enhancing their anticancer activity by modifying their solubility and cellular uptake through functionalization. Results show that copper complexes conjugated with cell-penetrating peptides exhibit improved anticancer activity.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Anna Rola, Oscar Palacios, Merce Capdevila, Daniela Valensin, Elzbieta Gumienna-Kontecka, Slawomir Potocki
Summary: This study investigates the role of the GroEL1 protein in metal homeostasis and its ability to bind copper ions. It is found that the histidine-rich C-terminus of GroEL1 can serve as a ligand for Cu(II) ions, and the presence of adjacent lysine and aspartate residues significantly enhances the stability of the copper complex.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mario Garcia-Risco, Sara Calatayud, Veronika Pedrini-Martha, Ricard Albalat, Oscar Palacios, Merce Capdevila, Reinhard Dallinger
Summary: The study analyzed the metal binding features of MTs from the marine limpet Lottia gigantea and identified a novel structural element, the gamma domain, which enhances Cd(II)-binding performance. This contributes to the high Cd coping capacity observed in free-living limpets.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Paulina Potok, Arian Kola, Daniela Valensin, Merce Capdevila, Slawomir Potocki
Summary: This study investigates the interaction between two metalloproteases, AprA and CpaA, and Zn(II) and Cu(II), revealing their different affinities for the metals. The study also finds that CpaA has higher stability for metal complexes and identifies nonbinding amino acids that contribute to the stability of the metal-peptide complexes.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mario Garcia-Risco, Ana Gonzalez, Sara Calatayud, Francisco J. Lopez-Jaramillo, Veronika Pedrini-Martha, Ricard Albalat, Reinhard Dallinger, Jose M. Dominguez-Vera, Oscar Palacios, Merce Capdevila
Summary: This study demonstrates, for the first time, the glycosylation of recombinant metallothioneins produced in E. coli, and reveals an inverse relationship between glycosylation level and protein structuration, as well as their preferences for different metals.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)