Please read Dr. Aleksunes’ article in Drug Metabolism and Disposition titled, “BCRP/ABCG2 Transporter Regulates Accumulation of Cadmium in Kidney Cells: Role of the Q141K Variant in Modulating Nephrotoxicity.”
The heavy metal cadmium is a high-priority environmental pollutant classified as a chemical of public concern as well as a human carcinogen. The US ATSDR ranked cadmium seventh on its most recent list of dangerous substances. Cigarette smoking is the most significant source of cadmium exposure, with additional exposure through ingestion of contaminated foods and water. As a result, cadmium levels in blood, placenta, and kidneys are consistently higher in smokers than nonsmokers. After absorption, the cadmium ion (Cd2+) is rapidly taken up by the liver and kidneys, where it forms complexes with the small, cysteine-rich, metal-binding protein metallothionein (MT) or glutathione (GSH) to be released back into the circulation or retained in tissues. To read the full article.
BCRP/ABCG2 Transporter Regulates Accumulation of Cadmium in Kidney Cells: Role of the Q141K Variant in Modulating Nephrotoxicity. Wen X, Kozlosky D, Zhang R, Doherty C, Buckley B, Barrett E, Aleksunes LM.Drug Metab Dispos. 2021 Aug;49(8):629-637. PMID: 34074729 DOI: 1124/dmd.121.000446 Epub 2021 Jun 1.