Abstract
The function of metallothionein has been debated for years. However, now it is clear that at least one of its roles is in hepatic zinc metabolism. In the liver, metallothionein appears to be related to the mechanism of zinc uptake into hepatocytes and may function as a binding ligand to help regulate the intracellular concentration of free zinc ions (1). Therefore, since the dietary intake of zinc is variable and zinc metabolism at the cellular level is dynamic, it is reasonable to assume that metallothionein is subject to changes in synthesis and degradation in response to zinc status.
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Cousins, R.J. (1979). Synthesis and Degradation of Liver Metallothionein. In: Kägi, J.H.R., Nordberg, M. (eds) Metallothionein. Experientia Supplementum, vol 34. Birkhäuser, Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-6493-0_22
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-6493-0_22
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