A Metallothionein Containing a Zinc Finger Within a Four-Metal Cluster Protects a Bacterium from Zinc Toxicity

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

A Metallothionein Containing a Zinc Finger Within a Four-Metal Cluster Protects a Bacterium from Zinc Toxicity A metallothionein containing a zinc finger within a four-metal cluster protects a bacterium from zinc toxicity Claudia A. Blindauer*, Mark D. Harrison†, John A. Parkinson*, Andrea K. Robinson†, Jennifer S. Cavet†, Nigel J. Robinson†‡, and Peter J. Sadler*‡ *Department of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JJ, United Kingdom; and †Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Newcastle, Newcastle NE2 4HH, United Kingdom Edited by Richard D. Palmiter, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, and approved June 19, 2001 (received for review March 12, 2001) Zinc is essential for many cellular processes, including DNA synthesis, His residues, which have been implicated in metal coordination transcription, and translation, but excess can be toxic. A zinc-induced (14). The Cys coordination pattern for the MT clusters cannot be gene, smtA, is required for normal zinc-tolerance in the cyanobacte- mapped onto the sequence of SmtA. Genome sequences have rium Synechococcus PCC 7942. Here we report that the protein SmtA recently revealed smtA-related genes in several bacteria, including contains a cleft lined with Cys-sulfur and His-imidazole ligands that pathogens, and we previously detected an MT-like protein in binds four zinc ions in a Zn4Cys9His2 cluster. The thiolate sulfurs of five Pseudomonas putida from a metal-polluted site (15). To investigate Cys ligands provide bridges between the two ZnCys4 and two the analogy between SmtA and MT, and to understand better how ZnCys3His sites, giving two fused six-membered rings with distorted bacterial MTs buffer excess heavy metals, we have determined the boat conformations. The inorganic core strongly resembles the solution structure of SmtA and investigated its metal uptake and Zn4Cys11 cluster of mammalian metallothionein, despite different exchange behavior. amino acid sequences, a different linear order of the ligands, and presence of histidine ligands. Also, SmtA contains elements of sec- Materials and Methods ondary structure not found in metallothioneins. One of the two Protein Expression and Purification. To express SmtA in E. coli,an BIOCHEMISTRY Cys4-coordinated zinc ions in SmtA readily exchanges with exoge- NdeI restriction site was introduced at the 5Ј end of the SmtA nous metal (111Cd), whereas the other is inert. The thiolate sulfur coding region in pMDNR1.1 (14) by using Quik-change mutagen- ligands bound to zinc in this site are buried within the protein. esis (Stratagene). The resulting NdeI͞BamHI fragment was sub- ␤ ␣ Regions of -strand and -helix surround the inert site to form a zinc cloned into pET29a (Novagen), creating pMHNR1.1. Aliquots (5 finger resembling the zinc fingers in GATA and LIM-domain proteins. ml) of cleared lysate from cells carrying pMHNR1.1 were applied Eukaryotic zinc fingers interact specifically with other proteins or DNA to a Sephadex G-50 column (2 ϫ 60 cm; Amersham Pharmacia) and an analogous interaction can therefore be anticipated for pro- equilibrated with 25 mM Tris (pH 8.8). Fractions containing SmtA karyotic zinc fingers. SmtA now provides structural proof for the were pooled and applied to a HiTrapQ column (1 ml; Amersham existence of zinc fingers in prokaryotes, and sequences related to the Pharmacia) equilibrated with 25 mM Tris (pH 8.8). SmtA was zinc finger motif can be identified in several bacterial genomes. eluted with a 40-ml 0–100 mM NaCl gradient. The purity of SmtA was confirmed by SDS͞PAGE and HPLC. N-terminal amino acid he cyanobacterium Synechococcus PCC 7942 synthesizes a sequencing showed that the protein began with TSTTL, indicating T56-aa cysteine-rich protein, SmtA, on exposure to elevated excision of the terminal Met in E. coli. 15N-labeled SmtA was concentrations of metals (Zn, Cd, and Cu; refs. 1 and 2). Zinc is the prepared from cells grown in minimal medium supplemented with 15 most potent inducer of transcription from the smtA operator NH4Cl-containing M9 salts. promoter, and repression of smtA in the absence of elevated zinc is 2ϩ mediated by the zinc-sensing, DNA-binding product of the diver- Preparation of Cd4SmtA. Homogeneous Cd -loaded SmtA was gently transcribed gene, smtB (3). Mutants lacking the smtA locus prepared by acidification of Zn4SmtA to pH 1 under nitrogen, are hypersensitive to elevated zinc (5-fold), but otherwise viable (4). separation of the apoprotein on a Sephadex G-25 column (pre- In addition to sequestering excess, it has been postulated that SmtA packed Amersham Pharmacia PD-10, equilibrated with 0.01 M may be involved in controlling the intracellular distribution of zinc HCl), and reconstitution in the presence of a slight excess of 111Cd2ϩ (5), but a specific partner (protein or DNA) for interaction with by raising the pH to 7.0 with Tris base (16). Excess Cd2ϩ was SmtA has not yet been identified. removed with Chelex-100 resin (Bio-Rad). SmtA has been classified as a bacterial metallothionein (MT), ⅐ although its sequence is very different from eukaryotic MTs. It is Zn–Cd Exchange. Zn4SmtA was incubated in 50 mM Tris HCl buffer unclear whether these proteins are in any way functionally analo- containing 50 mM NaCl (all reagents Fisher Scientific, analytical gous, because the function of neither has been fully defined. grade) for periods of6hto7days and at pH values from 5 to 8, at Metallothioneins are ubiquitous in eukaryotes and are small pro- teins containing about 60 amino acids (6). The solution structures of several vertebrate and invertebrate MTs have been determined This paper was submitted directly (Track II) to the PNAS office. by multidimensional NMR techniques (7). Such studies have pro- Abbreviations: ESI, electrospray ionization; ICP-AES, inductively coupled plasma–atomic vided the basis for understanding the dynamic behavior of MTs, emission spectrometry; NOE, nuclear Overhauser enhancement; NOESY, nuclear Over- especially of their metal ion uptake and release reactions. Mam- hauser enhancement spectroscopy; rmsd, rms deviation; amu, atomic mass unit; MT, metallothionein; HSQC, heteronuclear single quantum coherence. malian isoforms MT-1 and -2 are commonly isolated with seven 2ϩ Data deposition: The atomic coordinates for Zn4SmtA have been deposited in the Protein Zn ions bound exclusively to the thiolate groups of cysteine Data Bank, www.rcsb.org (PDB ID code 1JJD). residues in two clusters (8). In view of the cellular importance of ‡To whom reprint requests should be addressed. E-mail: [email protected] or zinc, there is considerable interest in establishing the conditions in [email protected]. which, and locations where, MT acquires or releases zinc (5, 9–13). The publication costs of this article were defrayed in part by page charge payment. This SmtA contains a smaller proportion of Cys than mammalian MT article must therefore be hereby marked “advertisement” in accordance with 18 U.S.C. (16% vs. 33% of residues), and, unlike mammalian MTs, contains §1734 solely to indicate this fact. www.pnas.org͞cgi͞doi͞10.1073͞pnas.171120098 PNAS ͉ August 14, 2001 ͉ vol. 98 ͉ no. 17 ͉ 9593–9598 Downloaded by guest on September 30, 2021 111 ambient temperature with various mol equivalents of CdCl2 Table 1. NMR and structure statistics for Zn4SmtA 111 [prepared by dissolution of CdO (95.29%; Oak Ridge National Restraints for structure calculations (residues 5–56) Laboratory, TN) in 1 M HCl]. Excess metal was removed on a Total restraints 380 Sephadex G-25 column (prepacked Amersham Pharmacia PD-10) Total NOE restraints 291 ⅐ by elution with 50 mM Tris HCl buffer (50 mM NaCl, pH 7.0). Intraresidue 41 111 Typically, the Cd NMR spectrum was recorded ca. 30 min. after Sequential 79 2ϩ the addition of Cd . The incubation time had little effect on the Medium range 49 NMR spectra. Long range 122 Dihedral angles (␾)37 Metal Determinations. Samples of SmtA were diluted to 5 ml with Zinc distance restraints 52 50 mM Tris⅐HCl buffer and 50 mM NaCl. A Thermo Jarrell Ash IRIS inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry Structure statistics (ICP-AES) instrument was calibrated by using five sulfur, zinc, or Number of starting structures 500 cadmium standard solutions in the same buffer, prepared from Number of final structures 20 1,000 ppm standards (Fisher Scientific), and the metal ion and Average of DIANA target function 0.67 Ϯ 0.13 sulfur contents were determined simultaneously, allowing the direct Number of violations Ͼ 0.25 Å none determination of the protein:metal ratio. rmsd to the average structure (residues 5–56), Å Backbone 0.90 Ϯ 0.11 Mass Spectrometry. Samples were prepared by buffer exchange into All heavy atoms 1.48 Ϯ 0.14 50 mM NH4Ac (Fisher Scientific) by using Amicon YM-3 centrif- ugation filters. Positive ion electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS was performed on a Micromass Platform II instrument on samples data points, using spectral widths of 8, 8, and 2.3 kHz, respectively. ␮ Ϫ1 diluted to 40 pmol l in 10% methanol. Samples at pH 2, 5, 7, and The data were transformed into 1 k ϫ 512 ϫ 64 data points. 10 were studied. MASS-LYNX (Version 2.3) software was used for One-dimensional 111Cd-{1H} NMR spectra [106.04 MHz, deconvolution of the spectra. Bruker (Ettlingen, Germany) DMX500,4kcomplex points] were acquired on a BBO (direct observe) probe head with 64 k transients Liquid Chromatography. The homogeneity of the protein prepara- (acquisition time 0.06 s, recycle delay 0.34 s). Longer acquisition tions was determined on a Hewlett Packard 1100 Series LC System, ϫ times or delays did not alter the spectra. Metal-ion-to-ligand employing a C18 reverse-phase column (250 4.6 mm, Lichrosorb, connectivities were determined by 2D [1H,111Cd] HSQC and 2D 5 ␮m diameter (BAS Technical, Congleton, UK); detection at 220 1 111 ␮ ␮ ⅐ [ H, Cd] HSQC-TOCSY NMR experiments: 256 transients were nm).
Recommended publications
  • Metallothionein-Protein Interactions
    DOI 10.1515/bmc-2012-0049 BioMol Concepts 2013; 4(2): 143–160 Review S í lvia Atrian * and Merc è Capdevila Metallothionein-protein interactions Abstract: Metallothioneins (MTs) are a family of univer- Introduction sal, small proteins, sharing a high cysteine content and an optimal capacity for metal ion coordination. They take Metallothioneins (MTs) are a family of small ( < 10 kDa), part in a plethora of metal ion-related events (from detoxi- extremely heterogeneous proteins, sharing a high cysteine fication to homeostasis, storage, and delivery), in a wide content (15 – 30 % ) that confers them an optimal capacity range of stress responses, and in different pathological for metal ion coordination. After their discovery in horse processes (tumorigenesis, neurodegeneration, and inflam- kidneys by Bert Vallee in 1957 (1) , MTs have been identi- mation). The information on both intracellular and extra- fied and characterized in most prokaryotic and all eukary- cellular interactions of MTs with other proteins is here otic organisms. Besides metal ion detoxification, they comprehensively reviewed. In mammalian kidney, MT1/ have been related to a plethora of physiological events, MT2 interact with megalin and related receptors, and with from the homeostasis, storage, and delivery of physiologi- the transporter transthyretin. Most of the mammalian MT cal metals, to the defense against a wide range of stresses partners identified concern interactions with central nerv- and pathological processes (tumor genesis, neurodegen- ous system (mainly brain) proteins, both through physical eration, inflammation, etc.). It is now a common agree- contact or metal exchange reactions. Physical interactions ment among MT researchers that the ambiguity when mainly involve neuronal secretion multimers.
    [Show full text]
  • Eucaryotic Metallothioneins: Proteins, Gene Regulation and Copper Homeostasis
    Cah. Biol. Mar. (2001) 42 : 125-135 Eucaryotic metallothioneins: proteins, gene regulation and copper homeostasis. Alejandra MOENNE Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Casilla 40 correo 33, Santiago, Chile. Fax number: 56-2-6812108 - E-mail: [email protected] Abstract: Heavy metals such as copper, iron and zinc are essential for eucaryotic cell viability and they are required only in trace amounts. High concentrations of these metals are toxic for the cells and they trigger different molecular response mechanisms. One of the best studied of such responses involves the synthesis of metallothioneins (MTs) which are low molecular weight, cysteine-rich proteins that bind heavy metals by means of their cysteine residues. MTs have been purified from different eucaryotic cells and their structural and heavy metal binding properties have been determined. MT genes have been cloned from animal cells, fungi, plants and algae and their transcriptional activation by heavy metals has been characterized. The overexpression of MTs results in the accumulation of heavy metals in the cells. The best studied model for copper tolerance and homeostasis is the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this fungus, high concentrations of copper activate transcription of the gene coding for CUP1 MT. This process involves the binding of ACE1 transcription factor to the promoter of cup-1 gene. ACE1 directly binds copper ions and undergoes a conformational change that allows its binding to the promoter region. On the other hand, copper starvation triggers the transcriptional activation of at least two copper transporter genes and a copper reductase gene.
    [Show full text]
  • Summary of Supportive Science Regarding Thimerosal Removal
    Summary of Supportive Science Regarding Thimerosal Removal Updated December 2012 www.safeminds.org Science Summary on Mercury in Vaccines (Thimerosal Only) SafeMinds Update – December 2012 Contents ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ................................................................................................................................. 4 A PILOT SCALE EVALUATION OF REMOVAL OF MERCURY FROM PHARMACEUTICAL WASTEWATER USING GRANULAR ACTIVATED CARBON (CYR 2002) ................................................................................................................................................................. 4 BIODEGRADATION OF THIOMERSAL CONTAINING EFFLUENTS BY A MERCURY RESISTANT PSEUDOMONAS PUTIDA STRAIN (FORTUNATO 2005) ......................................................................................................................................................................... 4 USE OF ADSORPTION PROCESS TO REMOVE ORGANIC MERCURY THIMEROSAL FROM INDUSTRIAL PROCESS WASTEWATER (VELICU 2007)5 HUMAN & INFANT RESEARCH ............................................................................................................................ 5 IATROGENIC EXPOSURE TO MERCURY AFTER HEPATITIS B VACCINATION IN PRETERM INFANTS (STAJICH 2000) .................................. 5 MERCURY CONCENTRATIONS AND METABOLISM IN INFANTS RECEIVING VACCINES CONTAINING THIMEROSAL: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY (PICHICHERO 2002) ......................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Metallothionein-3 As a Multifunctional Player in the Control of Cellular Processes and Diseases Jae-Young Koh1,2 and Sook-Jeong Lee3*
    Koh and Lee Molecular Brain (2020) 13:116 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13041-020-00654-w REVIEW Open Access Metallothionein-3 as a multifunctional player in the control of cellular processes and diseases Jae-Young Koh1,2 and Sook-Jeong Lee3* Abstract Transition metals, such as iron, copper, and zinc, play a very important role in life as the regulators of various physiochemical reactions in cells. Abnormal distribution and concentration of these metals in the body are closely associated with various diseases including ischemic seizure, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and cancer. Iron and copper are known to be mainly involved in in vivo redox reaction. Zinc controls a variety of intracellular metabolism via binding to lots of proteins in cells and altering their structure and function. Metallothionein-3 (MT3) is a representative zinc binding protein predominant in the brain. Although the role of MT3 in other organs still needs to be elucidated, many reports have suggested critical roles for the protein in the control of a variety of cellular homeostasis. Here, we review various biological functions of MT3, focusing on different cellular molecules and diseases involving MT3 in the body. Keywords: Autophagy, Alzheimer’s disease, Lysosome, Metallothionein-3, Neurodegenerative disease, Oxidative stress, Zinc Introduction Metallothioneins (MTs) are proteins that bind or re- Intracellular transition metals exist in various forms- lease cellular transition metals, an interaction that de- free or attached to proteins or organelles. Most metals pends on specific cell situations. MTs were first reported in the cells are involved in diverse cellular function, in- by Vallee and Margoshe as Cd-binding protein from cluding the recycling of organelles and proteins as well horse renal cortex [1].
    [Show full text]
  • Scientific Papers Showing Linking Thimerosal Exposure to Autism
    Scientific Papers Showing Linking Thimerosal Exposure to Autism April 6, 2015 Brian S. Hooker, Ph.D., P.E. 1. Rose et al. 2015 J Toxicol “Increased Susceptibility to Ethylmercury-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction in a Subset of Autism Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines” PMID 25688267. In a comparison of lymphoblast cells from children with autism and matched non-autistic controls, a significantly higher number of “autistic” cell lines showed a reduction in ATP- linked respiration, maximal respiratory capacity and reserve capacity when exposed to mercury as compared to control cell lines. This supports the notion that a subset of individuals with autism may be vulnerable to mitochondrial dysfunction via thimerosal exposure. 2. Geier et al. 2015 Clin Chim Acta “Thimerosal: Clinical, Epidemiologic and Biochemical Studies,” PMID 25708367. This review article includes a section on numerous papers linking thimerosal exposure via infant vaccines to autism. This also includes a critique of studies from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control that deny any type of link. 3. Hooker et al. 2014 BioMed Research International, “Methodological Issues and Evidence of Malfeasance In Research Purporting to Show that Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines are Safe” http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/247218. This review article shows methodological flaws in six separate CDC studies claiming that thimerosal does not cause autism. In three specific instances (Madsen et al. 2003, Verstraeten et al. 2003 and Price et al. 2010) evidence of malfeasance on the part of CDC scientists is shown. Background data (not reported in print) from these three publications suggest a strong link between thimerosal exposure and autism.
    [Show full text]
  • The Functions of Metamorphic Metallothioneins in Zinc and Copper Metabolism
    International Journal of Molecular Sciences Review The Functions of Metamorphic Metallothioneins in Zinc and Copper Metabolism Artur Kr˛ezel˙ 1 and Wolfgang Maret 2,* 1 Department of Chemical Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; [email protected] 2 Division of Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, UK * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +44-020-7848-4264; Fax: +44-020-7848-4195 Academic Editor: Eva Freisinger Received: 25 April 2017; Accepted: 3 June 2017; Published: 9 June 2017 Abstract: Recent discoveries in zinc biology provide a new platform for discussing the primary physiological functions of mammalian metallothioneins (MTs) and their exquisite zinc-dependent regulation. It is now understood that the control of cellular zinc homeostasis includes buffering of Zn2+ ions at picomolar concentrations, extensive subcellular re-distribution of Zn2+, the loading of exocytotic vesicles with zinc species, and the control of Zn2+ ion signalling. In parallel, characteristic features of human MTs became known: their graded affinities for Zn2+ and the redox activity of their thiolate coordination environments. Unlike the single species that structural models of mammalian MTs describe with a set of seven divalent or eight to twelve monovalent metal ions, MTs are metamorphic. In vivo, they exist as many species differing in redox state and load with different metal ions. The functions of mammalian MTs should no longer be considered elusive or enigmatic because it is now evident that the reactivity and coordination dynamics of MTs with Zn2+ and Cu+ match the biological requirements for controlling—binding and delivering—these cellular metal ions, thus completing a 60-year search for their functions.
    [Show full text]
  • The Heavy Metal-Regulatory Transcription Factor MTF-1
    Review articles Putting its fingers on stressful situations: the heavy metal-regulatory transcription factor MTF-1 P. Lichtlen** and W. Schaffner* Summary and the liver. They have the ability to bind heavy metals such It has been suggested that metallothioneins, discovered as zinc, cadmium, copper, nickel and cobalt (reviewed in about 45 years ago, play a central role in heavy metal metabolism and detoxification, and in the management of Ref. 7). Metallothioneins are involved in homeostatic regula- various forms of stress. The metal-regulatory transcrip- tion of zinc concentrations and also for the detoxification of tion factor-1 (MTF-1) was shown to be essential for basal non-essential heavy metals. As an example of the latter, and heavy metal-induced transcription of the stress- mammals store all cadmium taken up in food in a form tightly responsive metallothionein-I and metallothionein-II. Re- bound to metallothioneins, where it remains with a half-life of cently it has become obvious that MTF-1 has further roles (8) in the transcriptional regulation of genes induced by approximately 15 years in humans. The expression of the various stressors and might even contribute to some major metallothionein genes (MT-I and MT-II ) is induced at the aspects of malignant cell growth. Furthermore, MTF-1 is level of transcription by heavy metal load.(9) As shown by an essential gene, as mice null-mutant for MTF-1 die in Palmiter and colleagues, the promoter region of these metal- utero due to liver degeneration. We describe here the lothionein genes contain so-called metal responsive elements state of knowledge on the complex activation of MTF-1, and propose a model with MTF-1 as an interconnected (MREs) that can confer metal-inducibility to any reporter gene (10,11) cellular stress-sensor protein involved in heavy metal when placed in a promoter position or at a remote metabolism, hepatocyte differentiation and detoxifica- enhancer position.(12) Several laboratories, including ours, tion of toxic agents.
    [Show full text]
  • Mapping the Salt Stress-Induced Changes in the Root Mirnome in Pokkali Rice
    biomolecules Article Mapping the Salt Stress-Induced Changes in the Root miRNome in Pokkali Rice Kavita Goswami 1,2, Deepti Mittal 1, Budhayash Gautam 2 , Sudhir K. Sopory 1 and Neeti Sanan-Mishra 1,* 1 Plant RNAi Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India; [email protected] (K.G.); [email protected] (D.M.); [email protected] (S.K.S.) 2 Department of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Jacob School of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sam Higginbottom university of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj (Formally Allahabad) 211007, India; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +91-11-2674-1358/61; Fax: +91-11-2674-2316 Received: 9 January 2020; Accepted: 6 March 2020; Published: 25 March 2020 Abstract: A plant’s response to stress conditions is governed by intricately coordinated gene expression. The microRNAs (miRs) have emerged as relatively new players in the genetic network, regulating gene expression at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level. In this study, we performed comprehensive profiling of miRs in roots of the naturally salt-tolerant Pokkali rice variety to understand their role in regulating plant physiology in the presence of salt. For comparisons, root miR profiles of the salt-sensitive rice variety Pusa Basmati were generated. It was seen that the expression levels of 65 miRs were similar for roots of Pokkali grown in the absence of salt (PKNR) and Pusa Basmati grown in the presence of salt (PBSR). The salt-induced dis-regulations in expression profiles of miRs showed controlled changes in the roots of Pokkali (PKSR) as compared to larger variations seen in the roots of Pusa Basmati.
    [Show full text]
  • Balance Between Metallothionein and Metal Response Element Binding Transcription Factor 1 Is Mediated by Zinc Ions (Review)
    1582 MOLECULAR MEDICINE REPORTS 11: 1582-1586, 2015 Balance between metallothionein and metal response element binding transcription factor 1 is mediated by zinc ions (Review) GANG DONG1, HONG CHEN2, MEIYU QI3, YE DOU2 and QINGLU WANG2 1Department of Oral Medicine; 2Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering and Technology of Shandong High School, Shandong Wanjie Medical College, Zibo, Shandong 255213; 3Cattle Research Department, Animal Husbandry Institute, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, P.R. China Received February 14, 2014; Accepted October 24, 2014 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2014.2969 Abstract. Metal ion homeostasis and heavy metal detoxifica- 1. Introduction tion systems are regulated by certain genes associated with metal ion transport. Metallothionein (MT) and metal response Cells adjust their gene expression profile in order to rapidly element binding transcription factor 1 (MTF-1) are important adapt to various forms of stress. Therefore, stress-responsive regulatory proteins involved in the mediation of intracellular transcription factors are mainly regulated at the post-trans- metal ion balance. Differences in the zinc-binding affinities lational level by modulating activity, stability or subcellular of the zinc fingers of MTF-1 and the α- and β-domains of MT localization (1). Certain transcription factors predominantly facilitate their regulation of Zn2+ concentration. Alterations in localize to the cytoplasm and translocate to the nucleus when the intracellular concentration of Zn2+ influence the MTF-1 required (1). The zinc ion (Zn2+) is an important metal ion zinc finger number, and MTF-1 containing certain zinc finger involved in the regulation of transcription factors. Zn2+ and numbers regulates the expression of corresponding target other essential metal ions have diverse roles in numerous genes.
    [Show full text]
  • Heavy Metals Detoxification: a Review of Herbal Compounds for Chelation Therapy in Heavy Metals Toxicity
    J Herbmed Pharmacol. 2019; 8(2): 69-77. http://www.herbmedpharmacol.com doi: 10.15171/jhp.2019.12 Journal of Herbmed Pharmacology Heavy metals detoxification: A review of herbal compounds for chelation therapy in heavy metals toxicity Reza Mehrandish1, Aliasghar Rahimian2, Alireza Shahriary1* ID 1Chemical Injuries Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2Department of Medical Biochemistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T Article Type: Some heavy metals are nutritionally essential elements playing key roles in different Review physiological and biological processes, like: iron, cobalt, zinc, copper, chromium, molybdenum, selenium and manganese, while some others are considered as the potentially toxic elements in Article History: high amounts or certain chemical forms. Nowadays, various usage of heavy metals in industry, Received: 30 December 2018 agriculture, medicine and technology has led to a widespread distribution in nature raising Accepted: 15 January 2019 concerns about their effects on human health and environment. Metallic ions may interact with cellular components such as DNA and nuclear proteins leading to apoptosis and carcinogenesis Keywords: arising from DNA damage and structural changes. As a result, exposure to heavy metals through Herbal plants ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact causes several health problems such as, cardiovascular Heavy metals diseases, neurological and neurobehavioral abnormalities, diabetes, blood abnormalities and Chelation various types of cancer. Due to extensive damage caused by heavy metal poisoning on various Detoxification organs of the body, the investigation and identification of therapeutic methods for poisoning with heavy metals is very important.
    [Show full text]
  • Structural Motifs of Novel Metallothionein Proteins
    Western University Scholarship@Western Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository 4-25-2012 12:00 AM Structural Motifs of Novel Metallothionein Proteins Duncan E K Sutherland The University of Western Ontario Supervisor Dr. Martin J. Stillman The University of Western Ontario Graduate Program in Chemistry A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree in Doctor of Philosophy © Duncan E K Sutherland 2012 Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd Part of the Biochemistry Commons, Inorganic Chemistry Commons, and the Molecular Biology Commons Recommended Citation Sutherland, Duncan E K, "Structural Motifs of Novel Metallothionein Proteins" (2012). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 489. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/489 This Dissertation/Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Scholarship@Western. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository by an authorized administrator of Scholarship@Western. For more information, please contact [email protected]. i Structural Motifs of Novel Metallothionein Proteins (Spine title: Structural Motifs of Metallothionein) (Thesis format: Integrated-Article) By Duncan Ewan Keith Sutherland Graduate Program in Chemistry Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies The University of Western Ontario London, Ontario, Canada April, 2012 © Duncan Ewan Keith Sutherland 2012 School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
    [Show full text]
  • Metallothionein Ill Is Expressed in Neurons That Sequester Zinc in Synaptic Vesicles
    The Journal of Neuroscience, October 1994, 14(10): 59445857 Metallothionein Ill Is Expressed in Neurons That Sequester Zinc in Synaptic Vesicles Brian A. Masters,Q Carol J. Quaife,* Jay C. Erickson,* Edward J. Kelly,* Glenda J. Froelick,* Brian P. Zambrowicz,2-b Ralph L. Brinster,’ and Richard D. Palmiter* ‘Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, and *Howard Hunhes Medical Institute and Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195 MT-III, a brain-specific member of the metallothionein gene (Uchida et al., 1991; Palmiter et al., 1992), and MT-IV, an family, binds zinc and may facilitate the storage of zinc in isoform that is restricted to keratinizing epithelia (Quaife et al., neurons. The distribution of MT-III mRNA within the adult 1994). MTs have been postulated to protect against metal tox- brain was determined by solution and in situ hybridization icity (Webb, 1979; Beach and Palmiter, 1981; Durnam and and compared to that of MT-I mRNA. MT-III mRNA is partic- Palmiter, 1987; Masters et al., 1994) and oxygen radicals (Thor- ularly abundant within the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, nalley and Vasak, 1985; Basu and Lazo, 1990; Hart et al., 1990; amygdala, and nuclei at base of the cerebellum. Transgenic Tamai et al., 1993) regulate metal homeostasis,and participate mice generated using 11.5 kb of the mouse MT-III 5’ flanking in the biosynthesis of metalloproteins (Bremner, 1991; Suzuki region fused to the E. colilacZgene express&galactosidase et al., 1993). in many of the same regions identified by in situ hybridiza- The presenceand distribution of MT-I and MT-II in the brain tion.
    [Show full text]