[Possible role of apometallothioneins]

A hypothesis is proposed admitting the participation of apometallothioneines (AMT) as a common link in the etiopathogenesis of hypertonic disease (HD) and some diseases with polygene heredity. The preconditions of the hypothesis are discussed (role of genetic disposition, external factors as salt, stress, tobacco smoking, alcohol, microelements--V and Cd and glucocorticoids in the origination of arterial hypertension). AMT homeostasis is discussed as well as the possible connection with the metabolism of Zn and Cu and Cu in organism. The chelating capacity of AMT makes it a potential regulatory protein, associated with the activity of Zn- and Cu-dependent enzymes and metalloenzymes. The mosaicism of pathology is explained with the genetic polymorphism of those enzymes (D beta H, MAO, etc), regardless of the common etiopathogenetic link. Some schemes are presented illustrating the hypothesis. The tendencies of the future studies are outlined in searching of direct proofs of the hypothesis.