Cadmium and Apoptosis: A Molecular Approach

Abstract

Apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death is a highly regulated and fundamental process found in all multicellular organisms. It is not only implicated in regulatory mechanisms of cells, but has been attributed to a number of diseases, like inflammation, malignancy, autoimmunity and neuro-degeneration. A variability of pollutants can persuade apoptosis. Oncogenic transition metals like cadmium, promote apoptosis alongside DNA base modifications, strand breaks and rearrangements. Generation of reactive oxygen species, accumulation of Ca²⁺, upregulation of caspase-3, downregulation of bcl-2,and deficiency of p-53 lead to the Cadmium (Cd) induced apoptosis. Metallothionein expression determines the choice between apoptosis and necrosis in Cd-induced toxicity. Thus, disorders of apoptosis may play a critical role in some of the most debilitating metal-induced afflictions including hepato-toxicity, renal toxicity, neuro-toxicity, autoimmunity and carcinogenesis. An understanding of Cd-induced apoptosis will be obliging in the development of precautionary molecular approach.

Keywords: Metals, cadmium, apoptosis, cell proliferation, carcinogenicity

Cite this Article

K. Shagirtha, S. Miltonprabu. Cadmium and Apoptosis: A Molecular Approach. Research and Reviews: A Journal of Toxicology. 2016; 6(1): 8–17p.