Structure and Function of Vertebrate Metallothioneins
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Structure and Function of Vertebrate Metallothioneins. / Penkowa, Milena; Vasak, Milan; Hidalgo, Juan; Chung, Roger.
In: Metal Ions in Life Sciences, Vol. 5, 2009, p. 279-317.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Structure and Function of Vertebrate Metallothioneins
AU - Penkowa, Milena
AU - Vasak, Milan
AU - Hidalgo, Juan
AU - Chung, Roger
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - In 1957, Margoshes and Vallee reported on the isolation of a proteinfrom horse kidney, which showed a high affinity for cadmium, and soon thereafter theprotein was named metallothionein (MT) by the leading scientists Ka¨ gi and Vallee.Fifty years of intense research has dissected out many of the biochemical, molecular,and genetic aspects of these proteins, yet not that much is understood on its physiologicalputative functions. Being a highly conserved family of proteins would suggest essentialbiological functions, but these may be dispensable and/or assumed by otherproteins as demonstrated by the phenotype of knock-out mice in normal conditions.Nevertheless, under challenging conditions (such as tissue injury) a strong phenotypeappears that is suggestive of important physiological functions. This has been particularlywell shown in the brain, where antiinflammatory, antioxidant and antiapoptoticeffects of MT have been demonstrated. To date, the results gathered strongly support atherapeutic value of these proteins that deserve attention in clinical studies.
AB - In 1957, Margoshes and Vallee reported on the isolation of a proteinfrom horse kidney, which showed a high affinity for cadmium, and soon thereafter theprotein was named metallothionein (MT) by the leading scientists Ka¨ gi and Vallee.Fifty years of intense research has dissected out many of the biochemical, molecular,and genetic aspects of these proteins, yet not that much is understood on its physiologicalputative functions. Being a highly conserved family of proteins would suggest essentialbiological functions, but these may be dispensable and/or assumed by otherproteins as demonstrated by the phenotype of knock-out mice in normal conditions.Nevertheless, under challenging conditions (such as tissue injury) a strong phenotypeappears that is suggestive of important physiological functions. This has been particularlywell shown in the brain, where antiinflammatory, antioxidant and antiapoptoticeffects of MT have been demonstrated. To date, the results gathered strongly support atherapeutic value of these proteins that deserve attention in clinical studies.
M3 - Journal article
VL - 5
SP - 279
EP - 317
JO - Metal ions in life sciences
JF - Metal ions in life sciences
SN - 1559-0836
ER -
ID: 13621286