Function of metallothionein in gene expression and signal transduction: Newly found protective role of metallothionein

被引：23

作者：

Kimura, Tomoki ^{[2
]}

Itoh, Norio ^{[1
]}

机构：

[1] Osaka Univ, Grad Sch Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Toxicol, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan

[2] Setsunan Univ, Fac Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Toxicol, Hirakata, Osaka 5730101, Japan

来源：

JOURNAL OF HEALTH SCIENCE | 2008年 / 54卷 / 03期

基金：

日本学术振兴会;

关键词：

metallothionein; zinc; metal-responsive element-binding transcription factor-1; nuclear factor-kappa B; inflammatory reaction;

D O I：

10.1248/jhs.54.251

中图分类号：

R99 [毒物学（毒理学）];

学科分类号：

100405 ;

摘要：

A heavy-metal-binding protein, metallothionein (MT), is induced by heavy metal overload and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The metals and ROS are rendered harmless by binding to NIT or by oxidizing MT, respectively. This is a well-known role of MT. MT is also induced by glucocorticoids and cytokines. Induced MT may increase intracellular free zinc and modulate the activity of transcription factors. Changes in MT levels are thought to help in adaptation to changes in environmental conditions. NIT modulates inflammatory reactions, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of cytokines, nitric oxide production from macrophages in response to LPS, and resistance to LPS/D-galactosamine-induced lethality. In this review, we focus on a newly found protective role of MT, which acts mainly via changes in intracellular zinc levels or modulation of gene expression.

引用

页码：251 / 260

页数：10

共 95 条

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