Investigations of the Total RNA Expression of the Genes C-Myc and P53 in the Testes of Mice Treated with Cadmium

András Selypes1, Margit Tõkés Fûzesi1, Péter Serényi2, and István Ember1

1 Department of Preventive Medicine, University Medical School of Pécs, Hungary
2 Department of Pathology, Hollós József Hospital, Kecskemét, Hungary
 
Corresponding author: András Selypes, M.D., Ph. D.
Department of Preventive Medicine, University Medical School of Pécs,
Szigeti u 12, Pécs, H-7643, Hungary
Tel.; Fax: (+36) 72-333-980
E-mail: andras@pubhealth.pote.hu

CEJOEM 1998, Vol.4. No.1.:36-44


Key words:
Cadmium, testicular toxicity, p53, c-myc

Abbreviations:
ATCC = American Type Culture Collection
bp = base pair
DEPC = diethylpyrocarbonate
GAP = glycerol-aldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase



Abstract:
The effects of cadmium administered ip in a single dose (10 mmol/kg body weight) into male CFLP mice were investigated on the rates of expression of proto-oncogene c-myc and tumour suppressor gene p53 in the testes of the mice on d 1, 2, and 3 after the Cd injection. For detection of the total RNA of c-myc and p53, slot-blot analyses were made. The total RNA of p53 was found to be decreased (52.8%; on d 2), thereafter increased (138.4%; on d 3) by Cd as compared to the control. The RNA expression of c-myc was firstly increased (175.1%; on d 1), thereafter decreased (63.1%; on d 2), compared to the control group. The RNA expression of c-myc was undetectable in the Cd-treared group on d 3 after the treatment. In conclusion, the Cd-induced increases in RNA expression of p53 on d 3 may be the signs of the genotoxicity or the mitogenic effect of Cd and the increased level of p53 may play a role in the apoptosis induction and the testicular toxicity of Cd or may be the consequence of the higher meiotic activity of spermatocytes. 

Received: 30 September 1997
Accepted: 6 January 1998 
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Posted: 15 November 1998