The elusive function of metallothioneins
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Box 357370, Seattle, WA 98195
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Contributed by Richard D. Palmiter
Abstract
Biochemistry and genetics are both required to elucidate the function of macromolecules. There is no question that metallothioneins (MTs) have unique biochemical properties, but genetic experiments have not substantiated the importance of MTs under physiological conditions. Even after thousands of studies describing the structure, biochemical characteristics, tissue distribution, induction, and consequences of genetic disruption and deliberate overexpression, the evolutionary forces that led to the initial appearance, gene duplications, and nearly ubiquitous expression of MTs remain enigmatic.
Footnotes
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↵ * e-mail: palmiter{at}u.washington.edu.
- ABBREVIATION:
- MT,
- metallothionein
- Copyright © 1998, The National Academy of Sciences
