MODIFIED PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINATION OF METALLOTHIONEIN-LIKE PROTEINS IN ANIMAL-TISSUES

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 24  (2) , 97-103
Abstract
The effect of low-MW substances interfering with determination of metallothionein is eliminated by precipitation of 203Hg-thionein by tannic acid. In animals not exposed to metals, the mean values for metallothionein content in liver and kidney are, respectively, 0.10 and 0.18 mg/g in rats, 0.06 and 0.07 in mice and 0.12 and 0.29 in guinea-pigs, i.e., are 2-3 times lower as compared with the values obtained by the procedure not involving treatment with tannic acid. [It is postulated that this protein, apart from its importance as a detoxifying agent, plays an essential role in the metabolism of Zn and Cu.].