JaLCDOI | 10.18926/AMO/32031 |
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FullText URL | fulltext.pdf |
Author | Aoki, Sogawa Chiharu| Asanuma, Masato| Sogawa, Norio| Miyazaki, Ikuko| Nakanishi, Tohru| Furuta, Hiroaki| Ogawa, Noriko| |
Abstract | The metallothionein (MT) family is a class of low molecular, intracellular, and cysteine-rich proteins with a high affinity for metals. Although the first of these proteins was discovered nearly 40 years ago, their functional significance remains obscure. Four major isoforms (MT-I, MT-II, MT-III, and MT-IV) have been identified in mammals. MT-I and MT-II are ubiquitously expressed in various organs including the brain, while expression of MT-III and MT-IV is restricted in specific organs. MT-III was detected predominantly in the brain, and characterized as a central nervous system-specific isomer. The role of MTs in the central nervous system has become an intense focus of scientific research. An isomer of MTs, MT-III, of particular interest, was originally discovered as a growth inhibitory factor, and has been found to be markedly reduced in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease and several other neurodegenerative diseases. MT-III fulfills unique biological roles in homeostasis of the central nervous system and in the etiology of neuropathological disorders. |
Keywords | neuroprotectin metal transport localization gene expression neurodegenerative disease |
Amo Type | Review |
Publication Title | Acta Medica Okayama |
Published Date | 2001-02 |
Volume | volume55 |
Issue | issue1 |
Publisher | Okayama University Medical School |
Start Page | 1 |
End Page | 9 |
ISSN | 0386-300X |
NCID | AA00508441 |
Content Type | Journal Article |
language | English |
File Version | publisher |
Refereed | True |
PubMed ID | 11246971 |
Web of Science KeyUT | 000167249900001 |