JaLCDOI 10.18926/AMO/32031
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
Author 十川 紀夫|
Published Date 1991-03-28
Publication Title
Content Type Thesis or Dissertation