Influence of glutamyl-cysteine ligase (catalytic subunit, GCLC, and modifier, GLCM) gene polymorphisms evaluation on lead concentrations in workers exposed to metal

Abstract

There is a wide variation in levels of biomarkers and toxicity of lead (Pb), despite similar levels of exposure and this is hypothetically related genetic differences in the enzymes that metabolize the metal. However, very little is known about the genetic effects on metabolism and toxicity induced by Pb. Therefore, aims of the present study is to evaluate metal-gene interactions in workers of automotive batteries plants, exposed to Pb. So, concentrations of Pb in blood will be determined by the use of a inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Evaluation of the polymorphisms glutamyl-cysteine ligase (catalytic subunit, GCLC, and modifier, GLCM) will be performed by the TaqMan assays (RT-qPCR) aiming to assess the genetic effects on the metabolism of the metal. Thus, it is expected that the results obtained here will assist for a better understanding of the interactions between the metal and these genetic variants, a survey line in the country incipient but very promising called "gene-environment interactions."