METALLOTHIONEINS - HISTORICAL REVIEW AND STATE OF KNOWLEDGE

The history of metallothionein (MT) research is reviewed. Various meth ods for isolation, characterisation and quantification are evaluated. The role of MT in metal metabolism and toxicity is explained. Gender d ifferences and polymorphisms are brought to the attention of the reade r and the possible relationship with disease is discussed. The review is an evaluation based on data from literature and from own original e xperimental data. Future aspects on research within the MT field is st ressed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.