WEDNESDAY, Feb. 16, 2005 (HealthDay News) -- A gene responsible for spreading the toxic effects of cadmium, and perhaps other heavy metals, throughout the body has been identified by University of Cincinnati (UC) researchers.
The finding may help scientists develop a way to prevent cadmium toxicity in humans. Cadmium, which is present in cigarette smoke, soil and some plants, shellfish and seafood, is suspected of causing birth defects and lung and testicular cancer, as well as damage to the central nervous system, lungs and kidneys.
Studying low doses of cadmium in mice, the UC team found that a gene called Slc39a8 works to transport cadmium to the testes, resulting in tissue death.
"We suspect that cadmium at higher doses could be transported to other regions of the body via the Slc39a8 gene or another gene in this family. We know that humans carry the same gene and gene family. Thus, we have identified a target that could be used to prevent cadmium's toxic effects in human populations," study leader Dr. Daniel W. Nebert, a researcher at the Center for Environmental Genetics, said in a prepared statement.
The study will appear in the March 1 issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
"We believe that the Slc39a8 gene could be responsible for the transportation not only of cadmium, but also of other nonessential heavy metals such as lead, nickel and mercury. Identification and characterization of this gene in mice is a significant breakthrough that will improve our understanding of how heavy metals actually cause toxicity and cancer in humans," Nebert said.
More information
The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more about toxic chemicals.
