Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Interactions between metallothionein and trace elements.

Progress in Food & Nutrition Science

|January 1, 1987

Summary

Metallothionein, a metal-binding protein, plays a key role in cellular detoxification of essential metals like zinc and copper. Its levels in tissues and bodily fluids can indicate trace element status and physiological conditions.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Manifestations of copper excess.

The American journal of clinical nutrition·1998

Same author

Obesity and hyperleptinemia in metallothionein (-I and -II) null mice.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·1998

Same author

Research communication copper-1,10-phenanthroline induces internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in HepG2 cells, resulting from direct oxidation by the hydroxyl radical.

The Biochemical journal·1996

Same author

Effect of zinc on metallothionein content of CHO cells transfected with metallothionein gene under the control of a non-inducible promoter.

Biochemical Society transactions·1996

Same author

Generation of 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide hydroxyl and scavenger radical adducts from copper/H2O2 mixtures: effects of metal ion chelation and the search for high-valent metal-oxygen intermediates.

Archives of biochemistry and biophysics·1995

Same author

Copper and zinc metabolism in health and disease: speciation and interactions.

The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society·1995

Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Metalloprotein research
Trace element metabolism

Background:

Metallothionein is a crucial metal-binding protein found in various tissues, notably the liver, kidneys, intestine, and pancreas.
Its synthesis is stimulated by essential metals (zinc, copper) and non-essential elements (cadmium), and influenced by nutritional status and pathological conditions.
Stress factors significantly induce metallothionein synthesis, particularly in the liver.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the functional roles of metallothionein in cellular metal homeostasis.
To investigate metallothionein's involvement in the detoxification of essential and non-essential metals.
To explore the protein's participation in metabolic interactions between zinc and copper.

Main Methods:

Analysis of metallothionein concentration in various tissues.
Assessment of metallothionein levels in blood and urine.
Correlation of metallothionein levels with trace element status and patho-physiological states.

Main Results:

Metallothionein concentration varies across tissues and is dependent on zinc and copper status.
The protein's turnover rate is high but influenced by its metal-binding capacity.
Metallothionein is implicated in cellular detoxification and metabolic interplay of zinc and copper.

Conclusions:

Metallothionein is vital for cellular detoxification and maintaining zinc-copper balance.
Measuring metallothionein in blood and urine may serve as a biomarker for trace element status.
Further research into metallothionein's functions can advance understanding of metal metabolism and toxicity.

Related Experiment Videos