金属硫蛋白基因多态性及其病理学意义

Metallothionein gene polymorphism and its pathological significance

金属硫蛋白(MT)是一种富含半胱氨酸、可结合多种金属的低相对分子质量蛋白。MT具有4种亚型(MT-1、MT-2、MT-3和MT-4)共11种功能性异构体,但其确切的生理功能尚不明了。MT可能具有维持微量元素的代谢和稳态、重金属解毒和拮抗氧化应激等作用。同时,MT基因及其多态性可参与动脉粥样硬化、糖尿病、肿瘤、神经变性以及炎症反应等病理过程而与多种疾病的发生发展关系密切。由于MT基因的多态性可影响其蛋白表达及功能,对MT基因多态性与病理学过程的关联性作一综述,为探讨MT的病理生理学意义提供科学依据。

Metallothionein(MT)is a low-molecular-weight protein that is rich in cysteine and can bind a variety of metals.MT has 4 subtypes(MT-1,MT-2,MT-3 and MT-4),a total of 11 functional isomers,but its exact physiological function is still unknown.MT may have the functions of maintaining the metabolism and homeostasis of trace elements,detoxifying heavy metals and antagonizing oxidative stress.At the same time,MT genes and their polymorphisms can participate in pathological processes such as atherosclerosis,diabetes,tumors,neurodegeneration,and inflammation,and are closely related to the occurrence and development of many diseases.In view of MT gene polymorphism can affect its protein expression and function,in this paper the relationship between MT gene polymorphism and pathological processes was reviewed,in order to provide a scientific basis for the pathophysiology of MT.