Guest guest Posted November 1, 2000 Report Share Posted November 1, 2000 Metallothionein expression in animals: a physiological perspective on function. SR, Cousins RJ J Nutr 2000 May, 130:51085-8 [Related MEDLINE Records] Abstract An integration of knowledge concerning regulation of metallothionein expression with research on metallothionein's proposed functions is necessary to delineate how this metalloprotein affects cellular processes, especially zinc metabolism. Metallothionein expression is driven by a number of physiological mediators through several response elements in the metallothionein gene promoter. Cellular accumulation of metallothionein depends on both gene expression and protein degradation. Both depend largely on availability of cellular zinc derived from the dietary zinc supply. Metallothionein expression is related to zinc accumulation in certain organs. Evidence has been produced, which suggests that metallothionein could act in a number of biochemical processes. It may act in zinc trafficking and/or zinc donation to apoproteins, including zinc finger proteins that act in cellular signaling and transcriptional regulation. As a result, metallothionein expression may affect a number of cellular processes including gene expression, apoptosis, proliferation and differentiation. The ability of metallothionein to exchange other metals with zinc in these proteins may explain a role in metal toxicity. Similarly, mobilization of zinc from metallothionein by oxidative stresses may explain its proposed antioxidant function. Apparent good health of metallothionein-deficient mice argues against a critical biological role for metallothionein; however, expression may be critical in times of stress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 3, 2000 Report Share Posted November 3, 2000 In a message dated 11/3/2000 11:53:06 AM Eastern Standard Time, _@... writes: http://www.expasy.ch/cgi-bin/lists?metallo.txt are you sure this is right website? I can't get it. kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2001 Report Share Posted June 24, 2001 This group know about Metallothionein - searched the archives interven ALSO DISCUSSED +++ ON abmd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2001 Report Share Posted October 4, 2001 OK, but how do you test for this? Any web references that go into technicalities? >They are looking in anomolies in the genetic sequence of metallothionein Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2001 Report Share Posted October 4, 2001 They identify the metallothionein gene and genes in the surrounding chromosomal region (I'm not sure how many copies there are of the gene in the human genome) and sequence that region. The sequence of the metalliothionein genes of autistics w/ Mercury toxicity is compared to that of normal kids. The DNA can be isolated from a blood sample. If there is enough data on the Hg-binding region of the metallothionein gene, then researchers may be able to pinpoint mutations that could block mercury detoxification. Most likely, this information is not yet available. So, the best one could hope for is to find mutations that consistently occur in the " autistic children " subgroup. Hope this helps! God Bless, S. Hooker, Ph.D., P.E. Director of Research PhytaGenics 902 Battelle Blvd., MSIN K2-10 Richland, WA 99352 Phone: 509-375-4420 FAX: 509-372-4660 email: brian.hooker@... [ ] Re: metallothionein OK, but how do you test for this? Any web references that go into technicalities? >They are looking in anomolies in the genetic sequence of metallothionein Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2001 Report Share Posted October 4, 2001 , I thought that 'genetic' defect was only one of the reasons for defective MT functioning, and that a toxic metal overload is a factor which disables MT protein functioning. Also that impaired GSH synthesis disrupts MT functioning in brain and gut. Celia [ ] Re: metallothionein > > > OK, but how do you test for this? Any web references that go into > technicalities? > > > > >They are looking in anomolies in the genetic sequence of metallothionein > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2001 Report Share Posted October 4, 2001 Would prove interesting if they did before and after with mercury-toxic individuals who then detox...or compare before and after vaccines of the same child (taking multi-generational accumulation into account)... S On Thu, 04 October 2001, " Hooker, S " wrote: > > <html><body> > <tt> > They identify the metallothionein gene and genes in the surrounding chromosomal<BR> > region (I'm not sure how many copies there are of the gene in the human genome)<BR> > and sequence that region. & nbsp; The sequence of the metalliothionein genes of<BR> > autistics w/ Mercury toxicity is compared to that of normal kids. & nbsp; The DNA can<BR> > be isolated from a blood sample. & nbsp; If there is enough data on the Hg-binding<BR> > region of the metallothionein gene, then researchers may be able to pinpoint<BR> > mutations that could block mercury detoxification. & nbsp; Most likely, this<BR> > information is not yet available. & nbsp; So, the best one could hope for is to find<BR> > mutations that consistently occur in the & quot;autistic children & quot; subgroup. & nbsp; Hope<BR> > this helps!<BR> > <BR> > God Bless,<BR> > <BR> > <BR> > <BR> > <BR> > S. Hooker, Ph.D., P.E.<BR> > <BR> > Director of Research<BR> > <BR> > PhytaGenics<BR> > <BR> > 902 Battelle Blvd., MSIN K2-10<BR> > <BR> > Richland, WA & nbsp; 99352<BR> > <BR> > Phone: & nbsp; 509-375-4420<BR> > <BR> > FAX: & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; 509-372-4660<BR> > <BR> > email: & nbsp; brian.hooker@...<BR> > <BR> > [ ] Re: metallothionein<BR> > <BR> > <BR> > OK, but how do you test for this? & nbsp; Any web references that go into <BR> > technicalities?<BR> > <BR> > <BR> > <BR> > & gt;They are looking in anomolies in the genetic sequence of metallothionein<BR> > <BR> > <BR> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2001 Report Share Posted October 4, 2001 Okay, well, this is all fine, but I wonder if they are also testing mercury toxic adults who are NT (or at least not dx as ASD). I think this would make a very good point of comparison. >They identify the metallothionein gene and genes in the surrounding chromosomal >region (I'm not sure how many copies there are of the gene in the human genome) >and sequence that region. The sequence of the metalliothionein genes of >autistics w/ Mercury toxicity is compared to that of normal kids. The DNA can >be isolated from a blood sample. If there is enough data on the Hg-binding >region of the metallothionein gene, then researchers may be able to pinpoint >mutations that could block mercury detoxification. Most likely, this >information is not yet available. So, the best one could hope for is to find >mutations that consistently occur in the " autistic children " subgroup. Hope >this helps! > >God Bless, > > > > > S. Hooker, Ph.D., P.E. > >Director of Research > >PhytaGenics > >902 Battelle Blvd., MSIN K2-10 > >Richland, WA 99352 > >Phone: 509-375-4420 > >FAX: 509-372-4660 > >email: brian.hooker@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 2001 Report Share Posted October 5, 2001 >>Would prove interesting if they did before and after with >>mercury-toxic individuals who then detox...or compare before and >>after vaccines of the same child (taking multi-generational >>accumulation into account)... S On Thu, 04 October 2001, " Hooker, S " wrote: > > <html><body> > <tt> > They identify the metallothionein gene and genes in the surrounding >chromosomal<BR> > region See, I still don't get this. Looking at the DNA for this gene would NOT give any info about the actual function of the protein. Certainly, the genes would not change with chelation... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2001 Report Share Posted November 11, 2001 <<<<<How does one increase the amount of metallothionein in a child's body? Al.>>>>> Al, I am just reading about this to try to find out how to test for it. I read that metallothionein (MT) dysfunction causes Cu/Zn imbalance, with high Cu and low Zn. How do you know you need to increase it? My son's DDI hair test shows just the opposite of high Cu/low Zn his ratio was 24.6; just a little higher than the reference range for zinc with Cu within reference range. Dr. Walsh of Pfieffer Institute in Chicago said at the DAN conference that of their testing of autistics 15% were over methylated & need folic acid and 45% were undermethylated & needed eSam. Does it sound like if one is high in Cu that the body needs eSam and if the body is high in Zn it needs folic acid? Also trying to figure it out, Sharon in Virginia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2001 Report Share Posted November 11, 2001 Msdai54513@... wrote: > In a message dated 11/11/01 4:41:33 PM Pacific Standard Time, > askeralkris@... writes: > > > > > > > > How does one increase the amount of metallothionein in a child's > body? > > > > I woul.d like to know that too. If you find out, please let me > know. > > angela > > The following is from someone's notes of the last DAN conference that got posted here back in October " The activity of metallothionein is primarily enhanced by zinc, glutathione, selenium, and n-acetyl cysteine. Of secondary benefit are vitamins B6, A, C, D, E, genistein, biochanin A, and glucorticoids. " Here is the entire set of notes for Dr Walsh's presentation Disordered Metal Metabolism: Walsh - Walsh first discussed his data on 503 children with autism, which found an elevated Cu:Zinc ratio in nearly all the children. Specifically, 85% had very high Cu:Zinc ratios, 8% were receiving zinc supplements and had only moderate imbalances, 6% has a severe pyrole disorder (indicating severe zinc depletion), and only 4 of the 503 children did not have a serious Cu:zinc imbalance. The average Cu:zinc ration was 1.63 in autism, vs 1.15 in the controls, and was highly statistically significant (p<0.0001). This is a very important finding from a very large study. Walsh hypothesizes that the Cu:Zinc imbalance could be due to a defect in metallothionein function, since metallothionein proteins regulate Cu and Zinc levels. The primary functions of metallothionein include: development of brain neurons; cell transcription; regulation of Cu and Zinc; detoxification of heavy metals; maturation of GI tract; powerful antioxidant; immune function; deliver of zinc to cells. It is the primary defense of the body against heavy metals. If a defect in metallothionein exists, it could be due to a genetic impairment or due to environmental damage. There are four metallothionein proteins: MT-I and MT-2 are present in all cells throughout the brain and periphery MT-III is a neuronal growth inhibitor found primarily in brain MT-IV is found primarily in skin and GI tract. A defective metallothionein could explain many of the symptoms of autism, including sensitivity to heavy metals, zinc depletion and copper overload, reduced stomach acid, incomplete breakdown of proteins. Since metallothionein production is enhanced by estrogen and progesterone during early development, females will be better protected than males against heavy metals. Researchers studied a MT-knockout mouse (a mouse without any metallothionein) and found that it had a very weakened immune system and had a high incidence of seizures. The activity of metallothionein is primarily enhanced by zinc, glutathione, selenium, and n-acetyl cysteine. Of secondary benefit are vitamins B6, A, C, D, E, genistein, biochanin A, and glucorticoids. In s disease, copper overload can be treated by removing excess copper and long-term zinc therapy. This may also help in autism, and may lead to reduced GI problems, improved behavior and cognition, and reduced vulnerability to heavy metals. His lab (Pfeiffer Labs) is investigating nutritional interventions to promote metallothionein and thereby reduce symptoms of autism. However, there are no commercial lab tests for metallothionein, and the children with autism did not have their metallothionein levels tested. Also, their lab found that 45% of children with autism were undermethylated (needed folate and DMAE), whereas 15% were overmethylated. Conclusion: In a very large and important study of 503 children with autism, a very high copper:Zinc ratio was found. This could have a wide-reaching effect since copper and zinc play many roles in the body. It is hypothesized that the Cu:Zn imbalance is due to a defect in metallothionein, and such a defect could explain many of the biochemical abnormalities in autism. Nutritional interventions with zinc and other supplements are recommended for treating this imbalance. -- " When you don’t know where you’re going, you have to stick together just in case someone gets there. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2001 Report Share Posted November 12, 2001 i'd also like to know the answer to this, as SAM-e is something we used to give but stopped when the pills, at over one dollar apiece, began to smell 'off'. if necessary, but on,y if necessary, i'd give them again, but get a new batch. julie Re: [ ] Metallothionein <<<<<How does one increase the amount of metallothionein in a child's body? Al.>>>>> Al, I am just reading about this to try to find out how to test for it. I read that metallothionein (MT) dysfunction causes Cu/Zn imbalance, with high Cu and low Zn. How do you know you need to increase it? My son's DDI hair test shows just the opposite of high Cu/low Zn his ratio was 24.6; just a little higher than the reference range for zinc with Cu within reference range. Dr. Walsh of Pfieffer Institute in Chicago said at the DAN conference that of their testing of autistics 15% were over methylated & need folic acid and 45% were undermethylated & needed eSam. Does it sound like if one is high in Cu that the body needs eSam and if the body is high in Zn it needs folic acid? Also trying to figure it out, Sharon in Virginia ======================================================= Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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