An Improved Transfection Assay for Evaluating the Effects of Heavy Metals

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  • SUZUKI Kaoru
    Human Engineering and Risk Management Research Group, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
  • KOIZUMI Shinji
    Human Engineering and Risk Management Research Group, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health

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Abstract

The transfection assay is an important tool for evaluating the health effects of industrial chemicals, with the reporter gene expression as an indicator. However, heavy metals often influence the expression of the reference plasmids used to correct variations in transfection efficiency between assay plates, reducing the reliability of this assay. We found that the target of heavy metals is the reporter, rather than the promoter used in the reference plasmid. Of the reporters we tested, luciferase (Luc) enzyme activity was affected by heavy metals, whereas gene product levels of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) or β-galactosidase (βGal) gene were not. Neither heavy metals nor extracts from cells exposed to heavy metals showed an effect when directly added to the Luc enzyme, suggesting that heavy metals act through an indirect mechanism. These data indicate that the use of CAT or βGal as a reporter is appropriate for a reliable assay of heavy metal effects.<br>

Journal

  • Industrial Health

    Industrial Health 47 (4), 419-422, 2009

    National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health

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