The Role of Metallothionein in Oxidative Stress

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Branislav Ruttkay-Nedecky⁴  Lukas Nejdl³  Jaromir Gumulec⁴  Ondrej Zitka⁴  Michal Masarik⁴  Tomas Eckschlager²  Marie Stiborova¹  Vojtech Adam⁴ 

[1] Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 2030, CZ-128 40 Prague 2, Czech Republic; E-Mail:;Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, V Uvalu 84, CZ-150 06 Prague 5, Czech Republic; E-Mail:;Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Agronomy, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00 Brno, Czech Republic;Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Technicka 3058/10, CZ-616 00 Brno, Czech Republic; E-Mails:

关键词: metallothionein;    free radicals;    cellular oxidative stress;    zinc;    transcription factor;    cancer;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms14036044

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Free radicals are chemical particles containing one or more unpaired electrons, which may be part of the molecule. They cause the molecule to become highly reactive. The free radicals are also known to play a dual role in biological systems, as they can be either beneficial or harmful for living systems. It is clear that there are numerous mechanisms participating on the protection of a cell against free radicals. In this review, our attention is paid to metallothioneins (MTs) as small, cysteine-rich and heavy metal-binding proteins, which participate in an array of protective stress responses. The mechanism of the reaction of metallothioneins with oxidants and electrophilic compounds is discussed. Numerous reports indicate that MT protects cells from exposure to oxidants and electrophiles, which react readily with sulfhydryl groups. Moreover, MT plays a key role in regulation of zinc levels and distribution in the intracellular space. The connections between zinc, MT and cancer are highlighted.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.