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<p>Heavy metal pollution in the aquatic environment is a growing concern. Consequently, it is crucial to promptly and accurately assess the level of contamination. Metallothionein (MT), an omnipresent protein, plays a pivotal role in regulating metal balance and detoxifying harmful substances. This study focused on CkMT, the metallothionein gene from the aquatic insect <i>Chironomus kiiensis</i>. The full-length cDNA of the <i>CkMT</i> gene was identified and cloned from <i>C. kiiensis</i>, revealing a 138-base-pair sequence that encodes 45 amino acids, with the CkMT protein being rich in cysteine. The <i>CkMT</i> was expressed throughout all developmental stages and in all tissues, as determined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), with the highest expression observed in the larval stage and the midgut. Exposure to different concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, or a mixture of both) significantly induced the expression of <i>CkMT</i>. The functions of <i>CkMT</i> in <i>C. kiiensis</i> were investigated using RNA interference (RNAi). This knockdown resulted in increased larval mortality and decreased pupation and eclosion rates. Additionally, the overexpression of recombinant CkMT in <i>Escherichia coli</i> enhanced tolerance to Cd and Pb. Together, this study reveals that <i>CkMT</i> plays an important physiological role in the growth and development of <i>C. kiiensis</i> and suggests that CkMT is involved in the detoxification and tolerance of Cd and Pb in <i>C. kiiensis</i>. Furthermore, these findings highlight CkMT’s potential as a valuable biomarker for monitoring Cd and Pb contamination in aquatic ecosystems.</p>

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Role of metallothionein gene in Cd and Pb detoxification in Chironomus kiiensis

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年3月13日

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  • Liqiong Yan,
  • Chunmiao Sun,
  • Lili Sun,
  • Chuanwang Cao

摘要

Heavy metal pollution in the aquatic environment is a growing concern. Consequently, it is crucial to promptly and accurately assess the level of contamination. Metallothionein (MT), an omnipresent protein, plays a pivotal role in regulating metal balance and detoxifying harmful substances. This study focused on CkMT, the metallothionein gene from the aquatic insect Chironomus kiiensis. The full-length cDNA of the CkMT gene was identified and cloned from C. kiiensis, revealing a 138-base-pair sequence that encodes 45 amino acids, with the CkMT protein being rich in cysteine. The CkMT was expressed throughout all developmental stages and in all tissues, as determined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), with the highest expression observed in the larval stage and the midgut. Exposure to different concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, or a mixture of both) significantly induced the expression of CkMT. The functions of CkMT in C. kiiensis were investigated using RNA interference (RNAi). This knockdown resulted in increased larval mortality and decreased pupation and eclosion rates. Additionally, the overexpression of recombinant CkMT in Escherichia coli enhanced tolerance to Cd and Pb. Together, this study reveals that CkMT plays an important physiological role in the growth and development of C. kiiensis and suggests that CkMT is involved in the detoxification and tolerance of Cd and Pb in C. kiiensis. Furthermore, these findings highlight CkMT’s potential as a valuable biomarker for monitoring Cd and Pb contamination in aquatic ecosystems.