The Research Advances of Mollusca Metallothionein Induced by Heavy Metals
重金属诱导贝类金属硫蛋白研究进展

Abstract: Metallothionein (MT) is a new low molecular weight Abstract: Metallothionein (MT), a small protein, is widely found in most living organisms. It takes an important role in essential metals regulation and non-essential metals detoxification. This paper briefly describes the structure and functions of MT, and MT induction mechanisms, detoxification processes, degradation and metal-exclusion in mollusca; some major factors are discussed in the process of MT induction. For mollusca MT could be induced variously, and there are a large number of environmental factors and physiological factors internal, the concentration of MT often fluctuate remarkably. Therefore, future research will be focused on mollusca MT as a monitoring indicator of pollutions, MT mathematical models construction under the induction of heavy metals and mollusca MT products development.