The enhanced induction of metallothionein by zinc, its half-life in the marine fishPleuronectes platessa, and the influence of stress factors on metallothionein levels

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Abstract
Intraperitoneal injection of zinc raised levels of a hepatic metallothionein-like species. Assuming that this species was metallothionein (MT) then levels were raised from approximately 20 μg/g to 300 μg/g in 7 days, and levels thereafter remained high for the next 4 weeks. The half-lives of the protein in liver and kidney from starved fish, measured using in vivo incorporation of35S cysteine at 11°C, were approximately 27 days and 32 days respectively. The following agents failed to stimulate synthesis of MT in plaice: stress (due to catching), endotoxin, dexamethasone, cortisol and turpentine.