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Recent Developments in Trace Element Metabolism and Function: Role of Metallothionein in Copper and Zinc Metabolism¹

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Livestock and Poultry Sciences Institute, Nonruminant Animal Nutrition Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, MD 20705

Metallothionein is a copper- and zinc-binding protein present in most, if not all, tissues of higher eukaryotic species of animals. This review focuses on what is currently known about the characteristics, detection, occurrence, synthesis and turnover of metallothionein, specifically in livestock animals. The function of metallothionein in copper and zinc metabolism, though widely acknowledged, remains controversial. Current evidence in support of a role in the detoxification as well as in the homeostasis of copper and zinc is presented, along with a proposed model summarizing the involvement of metallothionein in basic cellular metabolism of copper and zinc. Also discussed are potential implications of metallothionein in animal agriculture.

KEY WORDS: • metallothionein • copper • zinc • metabolism • function • livestock

¹ Presented as part of the 29th Annual Ruminant Nutrition Conference: Recent Developments in Trace Element Metabolism and Function, given at the 72nd Annual Meeting of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, Las Vegas, NV, May 1–5, 1988 and supported by grants from American Cyanamid Company; Cargill, Nutrena Feed Division; Carl S. Akey, Inc.; Hoffmann-LaRoche Inc.; Lilly Research Laboratories; Monsanto Co.; Pitman-Moore, Inc.; Schering Animal Health; and Zinpro Corp.

Manuscript received 28 October 1988. Revision accepted 28 February 1989.

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