CYP1A1 and MT1K are congener specific biomarker genes for liver diseases induced by PCBs

We have identified two most significant biomarker genes, CYP1A1 (69.81 up-regulation) and MT1K (14.66 up-regulation), showing highest overexpression at p-value <0.005. These were selected out of several hundred genes induced in vitro, using PCB exposed human liver (HepG2) cells. Over expression of the CYP1A1 (cytochrome P450) gene was specific to PCB-77 and MT1K (Metallothionein) to PCB-153. Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarrays (mRNA) were used to screen the entire genome of human liver cells in a time-dependent exposure and were further validated by quantitative real-time RT-PCR.