INDUCTION OF METALLOTHIONEIN-LIKE PROTEIN IN HUMAN-BREAST TUMOR-CELLS

BOT-2 cells, a continuous human breast cell line derived from an infiltrating ductal cell carcinoma, accumulate Cd and Zn in a protein-bound form. The data presented represent the first demonstration in human breast cells of (a) cadmium time and concentration uptake, (b) de novo synthesis of metallothionein-like protein induced by cadmium and zinc, and (c) inhibition of metallothionein-like protein by protein and RNA synthesis inhibitors. The metal binding protein synthesized by BOT-2 cells is similar to the metallothionein-like protein of human milk. This protein appears to be important for the bioavailability of zinc in human infants. © 1979.