Metallothionein gene expression of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) was investigated in human lung epithelial cell line. DEI was collected from diesel motor bus and soluble fraction in water was obtained. Cells, grown to near confluence, were exposed to 5~50 ppm DEP for 6 hours. Regarding the metallothionein gene expressions. MT-1 and MT-2 were induced in the DEP-treated cell by using RT-PCR and real-time PCR. However, MT-3 which is known to be brain specific, and another isoform MT-4 were not expressed in cadmium-treated groups as well as control group. Heavy metal of DEP was also analyzed and Zn was found as the major component of heavy metals in DEP used in this study.
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