Influence of metal ions on gene expression of BALB 3T3 fibroblasts

It is widely recognized that metal compounds may modify gene expression. In this context, we have searched for genes whose expression may be affected by cadmium and platinum ions within the context of a cell culture system. Cadmium is well known for its carcinogenic potential while platinum is destined to become more and more interesting because of its increasing use in the automotive industries. By applying differential display to cultures of mouse fibroblast, we have identified two transcripts (acute lymphoblastic leukemia-1, All-1, and a novel gene named metal-responsive gene, MERE-1) that were responsive to platinum and cadmium ions. Moreover, further experiments with a panel of metal compounds have shown that MERE-1 was strongly induced also by La(NO3)(2) and Cr(NO3)(3), and to a lesser extent, by Na2CrO4 and (NH4)(2)TeCl6. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.