Metallothionein

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Definition of metallothionein:
Protein involved in cell detoxification mechanisms for various heavy metals.[1]
This is the common definition for metallothionein, other definitions can be discussed in the article

Notes

Metallothioneins occur in almost all organisms. They can regulate heavy metal concentrations by binding them. Organisms can produce metalollothioneins in response to the presence of heavy metals. However, when the amount of heavy metals exceeds the amount the metallothioneins can handle, the toxic effects of the contaminants will be manifested.[2]


References

  1. Lawrence E (ed.), 2000. Henderson’s Dictionary of Biological Terms. 12th edition. Prentice Hall, Pearson Education Limited. Harlow, Great Britain.
  2. ↑ Kennish, M. J. (1996): Practical Handbook of Estuarine and Marine Pollution, CRC Press 524 pp