[Effect of methyl tertiary butyl ether on the expression of proto-oncogenes and function genes]

Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 1999 May 30;28(3):137-8.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) is a new gasoline additive, which is used to increase the combustion of gasoline and to reduce the emission of harmful exhaust from automobile. The mechanism for the carcinogenesis of MTBE in animals is not clear. Immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the effect of MTBE on the expression of c-myc and p21 proteins in NIH3T3 cells. Dot hybridization method was used to explore the expression of c-myc gene and GST-P(glutathione S-transferase-P) gene in the of MTBE treated rats. The results showed that MTBE could enhance the expression of c-myc protein, but had no effect on p21 protein. MTBE could induce high expression of c-myc gene, and had no effect on the expression of GST-P gene. These results suggest that the high expression of c-myc gene induced by MTBE might be one of the mechanisms of its carcinogenicity in animal.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells / cytology
  • Air Pollutants / toxicity*
  • Animals
  • Carcinogens / toxicity
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • Cyclins / biosynthesis
  • Cyclins / genetics
  • Glutathione Transferase / genetics
  • Methyl Ethers / toxicity*
  • Mice
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / biosynthesis*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Carcinogens
  • Cdkn1a protein, mouse
  • Cdkn1a protein, rat
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • Cyclins
  • Methyl Ethers
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • methyl tert-butyl ether
  • Glutathione Transferase