Nutritional and Environmental Factors Affecting Metallothionein Levels

  • P. D. Whanger
  • S. H. Oh
Chapter
Part of the Experientia Supplementum book series (EXS, volume 34)

Abstract

The first evidence for the presence of that most unusual protein called metallothionein (MT) was presented in 1957 from Dr. Vallee’s laboratory (1). A more detailed study in this laboratory on the physical and chemical properties of MT include low molecular weight, high sulfhydryl and metal content, and the absence of aromatic amino acids. Although once thought to be present only in the kidney, it is now known to be a ubiquitous protein. This protein from animals not intentionally exposed to metals contains predominantly zinc when isolated from the liver but contains more cadmium when isolated from the kidney (4). Because of the chemical properties of MT, many researchers have speculated that it is involved in heavy metal detoxification (5,6,7,8,9), but evidence is beginning to accumulate for its involvement in zinc metabolism (10,11,12). The present report covers some of the dietary factors, including metals, sulfur levels and stress influencing the MT levels in tissues.

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Copyright information

© Springer Basel AG 1979

Authors and Affiliations

  • P. D. Whanger
    • 1
  • S. H. Oh
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of Agricultural ChemistryOregon State UniversityCorvallisUSA

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