Developmental consequences of in utero sodium arsenate exposure in mice with folate transport deficiencies

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2005 Feb 15;203(1):18-26. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2004.07.006.

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated that mice lacking a functional folate binding protein 2 gene (Folbp2-/-) were significantly more sensitive to in utero arsenic exposure than were the wild-type mice similarly exposed. When these mice were fed a folate-deficient diet, the embryotoxic effect of arsenate was further exacerbated. Contrary to expectations, studies on 24-h urinary speciation of sodium arsenate did not demonstrate any significant difference in arsenic biotransformation between Folbp2-/- and Folbp2+/+ mice. To better understand the influence of folate pathway genes on arsenic embryotoxicity, the present investigation utilized transgenic mice with disrupted folate binding protein 1 (Folbp1) and reduced folate carrier (RFC) genes. Because complete inactivation of Folbp1 and RFC genes results in embryonic lethality, we used heterozygous animals. Overall, no RFC genotype-related differences in embryonic susceptibility to arsenic exposure were observed. Embryonic lethality and neural tube defect (NTD) frequency in Folbp1 mice was dose-dependent and differed from the RFC mice; however, no genotype-related differences were observed. The RFC heterozygotes tended to have higher plasma levels of S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) than did the wild-type controls, although this effect was not robust. It is concluded that genetic modifications at the Folbp1 and RFC loci confers no particular sensitivity to arsenic toxicity compared to wild-type controls, thus disproving the working hypothesis that decreased methylating capacity of the genetically modified mice would put them at increased risk for arsenic-induced reproductive toxicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arsenates / toxicity*
  • Biological Transport
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Chimera
  • Female
  • Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored
  • Folic Acid / blood
  • Folic Acid / metabolism
  • Folic Acid Deficiency / embryology*
  • Genotype
  • Male
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / deficiency
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / deficiency
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
  • Reduced Folate Carrier Protein
  • Reproduction / drug effects

Substances

  • Arsenates
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Reduced Folate Carrier Protein
  • Slc19a1 protein, mouse
  • sodium arsenate
  • Folic Acid