Metallothioneins: historical review and state of knowledge.
The history of metallothionein (MT) research is reviewed. Various methods for isolation, characterisation and quantification are evaluated. The role of MT in metal metabolism and toxicity is explained. Gender differences and polymorphisms are brought to the attention of the reader and the possible relationship with disease is discussed. The review is an evaluation based on data from literature and from own original experimental data. Future aspects on research within the MT field is stressed.
Nordberg
M
M
Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, S-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.