Molecular aspects, physiological function, and clinical significance of metallothioneins

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Metallothioneins (MTs) are well‐characterized low molecular weight, heat‐stable cytosolic proteins with exceptional high content of cysteinyl sulfur and are known to bind heavy metals like cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu). Since these proteins are induced on exposure to heavy metals, it is now accepted that they have a detoxifying role during heavy metal toxicity. It has also been suggested that the primary function of Mt is in the homeostasis of the essential metals Zn and Cu. Recently, a role MT in selenium metabolism in primates has been established. Further, MT has gained considerable importance in the clinical disorders related to trace metal metabolism.

This publication has 246 references indexed in Scilit: