[en] Metallothioneins (MTs) were characterised in the kidneys of a white-sided dolphin Lagenorhynchus acutus stranded along the Belgian coast, displaying high levels of cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) in liver and kidney. The protein has two isoforms: MT-1 and MT-2. MT-1 binds Cu, Zn, Hg and Cd, while MT-2 only binds Zn, Hg and Cd. This suggests different metabolic functions for the two isoforms: MT-1 is mainly involved in Cu homeostasis; MT-2, which was fourfold more abundant than MT-1, detoxifies most of the accumulated cadmium. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Research center :
MARE - Centre Interfacultaire de Recherches en Océanologie - ULiège
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