Binding of cis-dichlorodiammine platinum(II) to metallothionein in Ehrlich cells

The antitumor agent, cis-dichlorodiammine Pt(II), is cytotoxic to Ehrlich cells in culture. These cells contain a substantial amount of metallothionein in the absence of inducers of the protein. At concentrations of drug which cause 60% inhibition of cell proliferation, most of the platinum is found in the cytosol. Of this about 30% is bound in the metallothionein fraction. Isolated rat liver metallothionein reacts slowly with hydrolyzed cis-dichlorodiammine Pt(II). Thus, metallothionein is a major cellular site of binding of the platinum complex at concentrations which inhibit tumor growth.