In the past years there has been extensive research on the molecular toxicity of metal ions and the influence that metal ions exert on the genetic machinery of human cells. Metal ions such as Hg(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) are known to act at the cellular level and interact with biomolecules both in the cytoplasm and the nucleus, leading to changes in the activity of key molecules in biochemical processes and affecting the integrity of the cell. The interaction of such metal ions with oncogenes such as H-Ras and it downstream minisatellite DNA constitutes the crux of the present investigation. The influence of biotoxic metal ions on the genomic machinery sets the stage for the development of new knowledge that will aid in the development of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in cancer.
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