Assessing Metallothionein 1 Response and Heavy Metal Concentrationsin Peromyscus Leucopus at the Tar Creek Superfund Site, USA

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination is a critical environmental issue, particularly in areas with a history of industrial activities such as mining. Here, we examine
the concentrations of lead, cadmium, and zinc, as well as Metallothionein-1 (MT-1) expression, in white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) from the Tar
Creek Superfund Site (TCSFS), and two reference sites: Oologah Wildlife Management Area and Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma, USA.
Using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), we quantified metal concentrations
and MT-1 levels in kidney tissues. Pb (0.57 ± 0.10 µg/kg) and Cd (4.62 ± 0.71 µg/kg) concentrations were significantly higher at TCSFS, while Zn levels
(23.1 ± 3.3 µg/kg) were consistent across sites. MT-1 expression showed no significant differences, indicating a complex response to metal exposure.
These findings highlight the need to further investigate MT-1 regulation and its potential as a biomarker for metal toxicity.