A NEW ZINC-BINDING PROTEIN OF SCALLOP, PATINOPECTEN-YESSOENSIS, INDUCED UNDER ZINC-ENRICHED CONDITIONS

A zinc-binding protein was purified to homogeneity from a scallop, Pat inopecten yessoensis. The protein was synthesized under zinc-enriched conditions like metallothioneins (MTs), The protein, however, did not satisfy the criteria for classification as MTs in amino acid compositi on because the cysteine content was extremely low and asparatic and gl utamic acids were the predominant residues. These results suggested th at the Zn-binding protein purified in this study was a new inducible p rotein and involved in zinc storage in the scallop.