Cadmium and transport of ions and substances across cell membranes and epithelia

Abstract

Toxic metals such as cadmium (Cd(2+)) pose serious risks to human health. However, even though the importance of Cd(2+) as environmental health hazards is now widely appreciated, the specific mechanisms by which it produces its adverse effects have yet to be fully elucidated. Cd(2+) is known to enter cells, it binds and interacts with a multitude of molecules, it may indirectly induce oxidative stress and interfere with gene expression and repair of DNA. It also interacts with transport across cell membranes and epithelia and may therefore disturb the cell's homeostasis and function. Interaction with epithelial transport, especially in the kidney and the liver, may have serious consequences in general health. A lot of research still needs to be done to understand the exact way in which Cd(2+) interferes with these transport phenomena. It is not always clear whether Cd(2+) has primary or secondary effects on cell membrane transport. In the present review we try to summarize the work that has been done up to now and to critically discuss the relevance of the experimental work in vitro with respect to the in vivo situation.

Liver and Cadmium Toxicity

“…Also it competes with essential metals such as Zn, selenium (Se), cupper (Cu) and Ca [24] interfering with various cellular processes such as metal membrane transport and energy metabolism. Also, it affects several cellular functions, such as enzyme activities, DNA repair systems, redox state of the cell and signal transduction [25]. Cd also modifies cell-cell adhesion by disassembling E-cadherin/beta-catenin complex [26].…”

Variable dynamics of cadmium uptake and allocation in four soybean cultivars

“…For several crop species including rice, wheat and soybean have already been identified genetic markers that allow for selection of genotypes with low genetic potential to accumulate cadmium (Jegadeesan et al 2010). In addition to many transporters and channels on the plasma membrane (Van Kerkhove et al 2010), the metal uptake largely depends on the composition and properties of cell walls since they affect metal binding (immobilizing) and filtering capacity, restricting metal entrance to the cells (Parrotta et al 2015). The metal uptake and its distribution in plants has widely been studied, however, reports on dynamics of these processes are rather rare.…”

Histomorphological Changes in Kidney Associated with the Ethanolic Extracts of the Leaves of <i>Phyllanthus amarus</i> in Cadmium Induced Kidney Damage in Experimental Animals

“…Cadmium toxicity has been demonstrated in several organs. Cadmium induces tissue injury through creating oxidative stress [9,10,11], epigenetic changes in DNA expression [12,13,14], inhibition or upregulation of transport pathways [15,16,17], particularly in the proximal segment of the kidney tubule [18]. Other pathologic mechanisms include competitive interference with the physiologic action of Zn or Mg [19,20,21], inhibition of heme synthesis [22] and impairment of mitochondrial function potentially inducing apoptosis [23], The clinical manifestation of cadmium toxicity depends on route, quantity, and rate of exposure.…”