Pyrimidine Biosynthesis in Branching Morphogenesis Defects Induced by Prenatal Heavy Metal Exposure.

This article discusses the impact of prenatal exposure to heavy metals, specifically cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As), on the development of the respiratory system in mice. The study used a murine lung explant model and untargeted metabolomics to investigate the effects of Cd and As on airway formation and pyrimidine biosynthesis. The results showed that coexposure to Cd and As inhibited branching morphogenesis and reduced pyrimidine biosynthesis. The study highlights the potential long-term adverse effects of heavy metal exposure on lung development and suggests the need for further research in this area. [Extracted from the article]