Talk:Metallothionein

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The connection of autism and thiomersal is highly doubtfull. Should be mentioned only with caution. (the author of the study faces the threat of losing his approbation due to fraud in germany)

Copper

Is there any connection between copper supplementation and MT levels? Does cu deficiency alters the production of MT in any way?Tradingbr 15:15, 7 November 2006 (UTC)

Regarding copper: in Morbus Wilson there are very hight levels of copper in the liver. M. Wilson is treated with zinc supplementation in order to increase the metallothionein. Obviously copper does not alter the metallothionein in liver. Kaltenbrunner

I'm not agree at all with the expression "metabolise metals". Metals are not metabolised, are captured, vehicularised or included, but not metabolised.

Maybe a reference to the finding of MTs by Dr. Vallee should be included.

The expression metabolism of heavy metals is correct with regard to: Hg,which is methylised, As, which is oxydized, Cr, which is first oxydized to Cr6+ in order to pass the membranes of lymphocytes and erythrocytes, and then reduced to Cr3+ in order to get excreated via kidney. There are also many other ox-red and methylation reactions in order to get rid of metals.

I think this is not the case for Metallothioneins, a part from Cu(II) being transformed to Cu(I), I don't know any references speaking of metallothioneins taking part in such processes as physiologically significative processes, it's why I consider that the expresion "metabolise metals" would be better as "capture metals" or "bind metals", as it is more cautious in the sense of the phrase.Jordi domenech 13:25, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

The reference for Dr. Vallee: Vallee, B.L. (1979), Experientia, Supp. 34, p.19 (taken as cross reference from: Methods in Enzymology, Vol 205, page 4, an article edited by Vallee, Bert, L. with the headline: Introduction to Metallothionein). Kaltenbrunner

I suggest to use a second line in order to show the primary structure of the MT in the table, because it is difficult to dicern between the name of the "animal" and the beginning of the first amino acid. Where does the letter of the structure start at family 2. (mulluscan)?. I assume that the M (methionine) might be the first candidate of the row of letters, but I don´t know. Please kindly also provide the full reference for the table, or of the primary structure. The primary structure is very important for the function. Kaltenbrunner

Good idea, I added also an Expasy reference, as the original reference, the Binz and Kagi page is unfortunately disapppeared from the www.Jordi domenech 13:25, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

if someone has an image of Mt which could be inserted, it would make the article more clear.Jordi domenech 13:34, 4 January 2007 (UTC)