Metallothioneins and cancer
Tomas Eckschlager1, Vojtech Adam, Jan Hrabeta
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry, Zemedelska 1, Brno CZ-613 00, Czech Republic.
Current Protein & Peptide Science
|August 20, 2009
Summary
Metallothioneins (MTs) are cysteine-rich proteins involved in cancer. Their role as a predictive marker for tumor progression and drug resistance is debated, with various analytical methods available for detection.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Metallothioneins (MTs) are low molecular weight, cysteine-rich proteins.
- They bind essential metals like zinc and play roles in cellular protection.
- MTs interact with key proteins such as p53, NF-kappaB, and Rab3A.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and discuss the role of Metallothioneins (MTs) in cancer.
- To explore MTs as a potential predictive marker for tumor progression and drug resistance.
- To describe analytical methods for MT detection.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on Metallothioneins (MTs) in various malignancies.
- Analysis of reported associations between MT expression and cancer prognosis.
- Overview of developed analytical techniques for MT quantification.
Main Results:
- MTs are implicated in carcinogenic processes and have been linked to tumor progression and drug resistance in multiple cancers.
- Evidence suggests MTs expression can be a prognostic factor in breast, prostate, ovarian, lung cancers, melanoma, and sarcomas.
- The utility of MTs as a predictive marker remains controversial.
Conclusions:
- Metallothioneins (MTs) have multifaceted roles in cancer biology, influencing progression and treatment resistance.
- Further research is needed to clarify their controversial role as predictive biomarkers.
- Various analytical methods exist for MT detection, aiding further investigation.
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