Molecular Characterization of Metallothionein Genes in Plants

Abstract

Metallothioneins (MTs) are a family of cysteine (Cys)-rich, low-molecular-weight proteins ubiquitously presented in animals, fungi, cyanobacteria and plants. There have been a number of reports concerning the molecular cloning and characterization of genes encoding metallothionein (MT) in plants. The precise function of plant MTs is not yet clear. Nevertheless, the evidence suggests that MTs may be related to metal detoxification and other environmental stresses. Recent developments in studies on plant MTs will be discussed.