Regulatory role of metallothionein in process of ischemic brain injury / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

ABSTRACT

Metallothionein ( MT ) is a cysteine-rich and low-molecular metal binding protein. Three isoforms of MT have been found in the central nervous system, including MT-Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ. MT is widely involved in many critical activities in the central nervous system, such as neuronal growth, auto-defensive reaction, immune-regulation, and repair of cerebral injury. MT exerts many important biological functions like scavenging of free radicals, regulation of ion homeostasis in brain cells, detoxification of heavy metals, anti-inflammation, and anti-apoptosis. Recently, MT has been increasingly shown to have protective effects against cerebral ischemia. MT promises to be an important target for prevention and/or treatment of cerebral ischemic disease. ln this review, the expression and regulation characteristics, and the effect of cerebral ischemic stress on MT expression have been summarized, with focus on the neuro-protective effect of MT and its possible underlying mechanisms.