2010 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

The role of matrix metalloproteinase in cadmium-induced cancer

Research Project

Project/Area Number	21790560
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Research Field	Hygiene
Research Institution	The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
Principal Investigator	NISHITAI Gen The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, 自然免疫研究チーム, 研究員 (60509941)
Project Period (FY)	2009 – 2010
Keywords	衛生 / 癌 / 細胞・組織 / シグナル伝達 / 免疫学
Research Abstract	Cadmium has been classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. However, the molecular link between cadmium exposure and carcinogenesis is unclear. In this study, we found that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 and MMP13 were accumulated in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells treated with CdCl_2. MMPs contribute to many steps in the carcinogenic process, including angiogenesis and metastasis. Cadmium-induced MMP9 and MMP13 expression was abolished in ES cells deficient in the activation of JNK, a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinases, suggesting that cadmium-induced MMP expression is mediated by JNK signaling pathway.