Question

Define Metallothionin and Discuss its Relationship with Minerals?

(Please notice that your answer not to exceed 300 words)

Answer 1

Answer - Metallothionein is a family of cysteine-rich proteins that helps to regulate the cellular metabolism of essential metals.

The production of Metallothioneins depends upon the availability of the dietary minerals, for example:- copper, zinc, and cadmium. It also requires amino acids like histidine and cysteine.

Metallothioneins are rich in thiols, therefore they binds to a number of trace metals, for example- Zinc ions, which binds tetrahedrally through coordinate bond to the cysteine residues. Thus each metallothionein molecule binds up to 7 atoms of Zn.