Metallothionein: the multipurpose protein

Metallothioneins (MTs) are intracellular, low molecular, low molecular weight, cysteine-rich proteins. Ubiquitous in eukaryotes, MTs have unique structural characteristics to give potent metal-binding and redox capabilities. A primary role has not been identified, and remains elusive, as further fun...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS 2002-04, Vol.59 (4), p.627-647
Main Authors: Coyle, P, Philcox, J C, Carey, L C, Rofe, A M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amino Acid Sequence
Animals
Brain - metabolism
Cadmium
Cytokines
Female
Gene Expression Regulation
Genetics
Heavy metals
Inflammation - metabolism
Metallothionein - chemistry
Metallothionein - genetics
Metallothionein - physiology
Metallothionein 3
Metallothioneins
Metals, Heavy - toxicity
Mice
Mice, Knockout
Molecular biology
Molecular Sequence Data
Oxidizing agents
Pregnancy
Protein Isoforms - chemistry
Protein Isoforms - physiology
Proteins
Tissue Distribution
Xenobiotics - toxicity
Zinc
Zinc - metabolism
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Summary:Metallothioneins (MTs) are intracellular, low molecular, low molecular weight, cysteine-rich proteins. Ubiquitous in eukaryotes, MTs have unique structural characteristics to give potent metal-binding and redox capabilities. A primary role has not been identified, and remains elusive, as further functions continue to be discovered. The most widely expressed isoforms in mammals, MT-1 and MT-2, are rapidly induced in the liver by a wide range of metals, drugs and inflammatory mediators. In teh gut and pancreas, MT responds mainly to Zn status. A brain isoform, MT-3, has a specific neuronal growth inhibitory activity, while MT-1 and MT-2 have more diverse functions related to their thiolate cluster structure. These include involvement in Zn homeostasis, protection against heavy metal (especially Cd) and oxidant damage, and metabolic regulation via Zn donation, sequestration and/or redox control. Use of mice with altered gene expression has enhance our understanding of the multifaceted role of MT, emphasised in this review.
ISSN:1420-682X
1420-9071
DOI:10.1007/s00018-002-8454-2