title: The function of metallothionein.
abstract: Since its discovery in 1957 metallothionein (MT) has remained a protein in search of a function. After 40 years of frustrating efforts, three areas of research point to its zinc cluster structure as the basis of its functional potential: (1) the regulation of MT gene expression by zinc-dependent transcription factors, (2) neuronal growth inhibition in brain, and (3) interactions with glutathione and zinc proteins.
authors.affiliation: Center for Biochemical and Biophysical Sciences and Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Vallee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D002104:Cadmium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015032:Zinc / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D002104:Cadmium; D008668:Metallothionein; D015032:Zinc