Arsenic-protein interactions as a mechanism of arsenic toxicity

Millions of people worldwide are exposed to arsenic, a metalloid listed as one of the top chemical pollutants of concern to human health. Epidemiological and experimental studies link arsenic exposure to the development of cancer and other diseases. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Toxicology and applied pharmacology 2021-11, Vol.431, p.115738, Article 115738
Main Authors:	Vergara-Gerónimo, Cristian A., León Del Río, Alfonso, Rodríguez-Dorantes, Mauricio, Ostrosky-Wegman, Patricia, Salazar, Ana María
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Animals Arsenic Arsenic Poisoning - etiology Arsenic Poisoning - genetics Arsenic Poisoning - metabolism Arsenicals - adverse effects Arsenicals - metabolism Cysteine DNA Repair - drug effects Endocrine Disruptors - adverse effects Endocrine Disruptors - metabolism Environmental Pollutants - adverse effects Environmental Pollutants - metabolism Epigenesis, Genetic - drug effects Humans Interaction Protein Protein Binding Proteins - genetics Proteins - metabolism RING Finger Domains Risk Assessment Zinc finger Zinc Fingers
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Summary:	Millions of people worldwide are exposed to arsenic, a metalloid listed as one of the top chemical pollutants of concern to human health. Epidemiological and experimental studies link arsenic exposure to the development of cancer and other diseases. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the effects induced by arsenic. Notably, arsenic and its metabolites interact with proteins by direct binding to individual cysteine residues, cysteine clusters, zinc finger motifs, and RING finger domains. Consequently, arsenic interactions with proteins disrupt the functions of proteins and may lead to the development and progression of diseases. In this review, we focus on current evidence in the literature that implicates the interaction of arsenic with proteins as a mechanism of arsenic toxicity. Data show that arsenic-protein interactions affect multiple cellular processes and alter epigenetic regulation, cause endocrine disruption, inhibit DNA damage repair mechanisms, and deregulate gene expression, among other adverse effects.
ISSN:	0041-008X 1096-0333