PharmPK Discussion - Metallothioneins

PharmPK Discussion List Archive Index page

On 6 Apr 1998 at 15:36:16, Erik Fred Oscar Pomp (efpo.aaa.haukeland.no) sent the message


Hello dear everyone,

Is there anyone with knowledge/experience in the field of
metallothioneins?

Any reaction will be highly appreciated,

Kind regards

Erik Pomp,

erik.pomp.-a-.haukeland.no

Back to the Top

On 9 Apr 1998 at 11:35:53, "Michael Kohn" (kohn.-at-.valiant.niehs.nih.gov) sent the message


Metallothioneins are small proteins (molecular weight ~6500 Da) with 7
cysteine- rich binding sites for metal ions. There are at least 4 isoforms of
the protein, various forms being present in different tissues. Metallothioneins
have been studied in liver, kidney, and brain. Metal ions (e.g., Cd2+ in liver
and Hg2+ in kidney) induce additional expression of these proteins by an
unknown mechanism. Binding of divalent metal ions to metallothioneins appears
to be a protective adaptation. For example, sequestration of Hg2+ by
metallothionein in the brain mtigates the toxic effects of this ion. There are
several new books about the metallothioneins that you might look into.

--
Michael C. Kohn

Laboratory of Computational Biology and Risk Analysis
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
P.O. Box 12233, Mail Drop A3-06
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2233

Telephone:
919-541-4929 (voice)
919-541-1479 (fax)

e-mail:
kohn.aaa.valiant.niehs.nih.gov

WWW home page:
http://valiant.niehs.nih.gov

Back to the Top

Want to post a follow-up message on this topic? If this link does not work with your browser send a follow-up message to PharmPK@boomer.org with "Metallothioneins" as the subject

PharmPK Discussion List Archive Index page