Issue 3, 2009

Independent metal-binding features of recombinant metallothioneins convergently draw a step gradation between Zn- and Cu-thioneins

Abstract

Data on the metal-binding behaviour of circa 20 recombinant metallothioneins (MTs) from evolutionary divergent organisms, gathered after years of systematic research, are here comprehensively analyzed. The consideration of four independent in vivo and in vitro metal-binding features reveals a gradation of the metal-binding character of the MTs considered that significantly coincides in a robust new classification: a stepwise gradation between Zn- and Cu-thioneins. The intermediate positions in this list are occupied by a group of polyvalent MTs, exhibiting a merging Zn-/Cu-thionein character that would suit general metal handling purposes. In contrast, the extreme positions are respectively occupied by those MTs that would have evolved to fulfil specialized Zn- or Cu-related physiological roles. Overall, the analyzed trends allow the proposal of a chemically- and biologically-sound new reflection on MT classification criteria.

Graphical abstract: Independent metal-binding features of recombinant metallothioneins convergently draw a step gradation between Zn- and Cu-thioneins

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
11 Mar 2009
Accepted
12 Mar 2009
First published
24 Mar 2009

Metallomics, 2009,1, 229-234

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