ScienceSeptember 6, 2026
metallothionein
met-uh-lo-THY-uh-nin
Definition
A type of small, cysteine-rich protein that binds to metal ions and plays a role in cellular detoxification and the protection of cells against heavy metal toxicity or oxidative stress.
Etymology
The word is a compound of 'metallo-' (from metal) and 'thionein' (derived from the Greek 'theion' for sulfur, referring to its high content of sulfur-bearing cysteine amino acids).
In the news
The article mentions that DATS enhances the sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to the drug docetaxel by epigenetically increasing the expression of metallothionein 2A, which helps modulate the cell's response to therapy.
Garlic compound blocks key signal, triggering gastric cancer cell death
Read the full article ↗Bioengineer.org