Cadmium-induced mRNA encoding a nonmetallothionein 33-kDa protein in Enchytraeus buchholzi (Oligochaeta).

Enchytraeus buchholzi (Oligochaeta) were exposed to various concentrations of CdCl2 in agar and aqueous solution. The Cd uptake was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy as well as Cd effects on survival, reproduction, and mRNA synthesis by in vitro translation of total RNA in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system. Although Cd was rapidly accumulated by the worms, any acute toxic Cd effects at concentrations below 4 mg Cd/liter were not detectable. However, such subtoxic Cd concentrations caused the induction of an mRNA species coding for a nonmetallothionein 33-kDa protein as revealed by 2D electrophoresis of in vitro translated in vitro translated proteins using [35S]methionine. The Cd-induced synthesis of this transcriptionally regulated protein might be a preindicator for a Cd intoxication in enchytraeids.