title: Protective effect of metallothionein on oxidative stress-induced DNA damage.
abstract: Metallothioneins (MTs) are a family of low molecular weight proteins with a high cysteine and metal ion content. They are found in most cells and tissues and can be induced by a number of substances, including various forms of oxidative stress. MTs play a central role in essential trace element homeostasis and in metal detoxification. Because of their peculiar structure, characterized by a large content of thiol groups, MTs also act as a potent antioxidant by protecting against various injuries resulting from reactive oxygen (ROS) or nitrogen species (RNS). In this review, the involvement of MT in the protection of DNA against oxidative stress is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, BE-3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chiaverini
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Ley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D008668:Metallothionein