Role Of ALAD In Lead Toxicology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Role Of ALAD In Lead Toxicology - Essay Example The mechanism of lead toxicity involves oxidative damage by producing reactive oxygen species which inhibit the production of sulfhydryl antioxidants, inhibit enzyme reactions impairing Heine production, cause inflammation in vascular endothelial cells, damage nucleic acids and inhibit DNA repair, and initiate lipid peroxidation in cellular membranes (Lyn Patrick, 2006). The toxicity of lead is due to its property to mimic other biologically essential metals, like calcium, iron, and zinc (Onalaja & Claudio, 2000). It has been observed that lead binds to enzymes that have functional sulfhydryl groups, rendering them nonfunctional and further contributing to impairment in oxidative balance. Levels of two specific sulfhydryl-containing enzymes that are inhibited by lead are delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydrogenase (ALAD) and glutathione reductase (GR) which has been demonstrated to be depressed in both animal and human lead-exposure studies (Lyn Patrick, 2006). Polymorphisms of the ALAD gene have been associated with the accumulation and distribution of lead in the blood, bone, and internal organs in humans and animals. Lead binds with and interacts with the same proteins and molecules, and interferes with the normal activity of molecules, such as in producing enzymes necessary for certain biological processes. Like it interferes with an essential enzyme Delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase or ALAD. ALAD is a zinc-binding protein which is important in the biosynthesis of heme, the cofactor found in hemoglobin.