Table 4. MT RNA and protein expression in recombinant MT-overexpressing HeLa cell lines.

RNA expression of MT1B or MT2A in cell lines was analysed by real-time PCR and normalized relative to the expression of GAPDH and β₂-microglobulin. RNA expression values represent the expression ratios relative to pIRESneo2-transfected HeLa cells (control). Total MT protein levels were quantified in homogenates (PBS containing 1% Tween 20) using an RIA and expressed relative to protein content. All values are means±S.D. (n=3, *P<0.05).

	RNA expression ratio		Protein (ng/mg)
Cell line	MT1B	MT2A	MT
Control	1.0±1.6	1.0±0.3	151±6.6
MT1B-HeLa	133000±38000*	1.1±0.3	188±8.8*
MT2A-HeLa	1.2±0.8	2.2±0.2*	186±7.6*