In non-treated nematodes, cdr-6 is constitutively expressed at a level that is higher than the other members in the CDR family. The expression of cdr-6 is reduced following cadmium exposure (2-fold).
Exposure to cadmium caused a 1.7-fold reduction in the level of cdr-6 mRNA. The expression of cdr-6 decreased 1.3-fold and 1.7-fold in response to arsenic and zinc exposure, respectively, and was unaffected by exposure to mercury. Hypotonic stress did not have any effect on the steady-state level of cdr-6 relative to control.