METALLOTHIONEIN Meaning and
Definition
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Metallothionein (MT) is a small, cysteine-rich protein present in various organisms, including mammals, plants, and microorganisms. It plays a crucial role in the regulation and detoxification of heavy metals in living organisms.
MT is characterized by a high affinity for metals, particularly those that are toxic, such as cadmium, copper, zinc, and mercury. It is commonly found in the cytoplasm and nucleus of cells, where it binds to these heavy metals and prevents their accumulation within vital cellular structures.
The primary function of metallothionein is to protect cells from oxidative stress and damage caused by heavy metal toxicity. By binding to heavy metals, MT sequesters them, limiting their ability to react with cellular components and generate harmful free radicals. Additionally, MT is involved in maintaining proper zinc and copper homeostasis in the body, which are essential for enzymatic activities and other physiological processes.
MT is synthesized in response to heavy metal exposure or as a result of physiological changes. Its production is regulated by various factors, including metal ions, hormones, proteins, and oxidative stress. The expression of MT genes can be induced by heavy metal ions or inhibited by certain substances, making it an important biomarker for assessing metal contamination and toxicity levels in organisms.
Overall, the existence and function of metallothionein highlight its significance in the detoxification and protection of living organisms against heavy metal-induced damage, as well as its role in maintaining essential metal homeostasis.
Common Misspellings for METALLOTHIONEIN
- netallothionein
- ketallothionein
- jetallothionein
- mwtallothionein
- mstallothionein
- mdtallothionein
- mrtallothionein
- m4tallothionein
- m3tallothionein
- merallothionein
- mefallothionein
- megallothionein
- meyallothionein
- me6allothionein
- me5allothionein
- metzllothionein
- metsllothionein
- metwllothionein
- metqllothionein
- metaklothionein
Etymology of METALLOTHIONEIN
The word "Metallothionein" is a compound word composed of two parts: "metal" and "lothionein".
The term "metal" refers to the metallic nature of the substance and its association with metal ions. It comes from the Latin word "metallum", meaning "metal".
The second part, "lothionein", is derived from the word "lobster" and the Greek word "thein", meaning "to put". It was originally discovered in 1957 in lobsters by Margoshes and Vallee, who found a protein containing high levels of metal ions. They named this protein "metallothionein" due to its association with metals and its origin from lobsters. The name was later adopted for other organisms as well.
