Final Activity Report Summary - METALLOPROTEIN (Interaction of toxic organotin compounds towards human metallothionein-3)
Metallothioneins (MTs) are low-molecular-weight metalloproteins (MPs) with high cysteine (Cys) content. They are involved in a wide range of biochemical processes. In human MT-1 and MT-2 isoforms are found in all organs, whereas MT-3 is expressed mainly in the brain, known also as growth inhibitory factor (GIF).
Human exposure to organotin compounds (OTs) stems from their use as polyvinyl chloride heat stabilisers and as marine biocides. Certain OTs have already been detected in blood, liver or urine samples from individuals. Acute exposures can result in either neurotoxicity or immunotoxicity depending on the specific compound involved.
Attention has been focused on the biological chemistry of OTs recently. It has been shown, that Cys is one of the primary biological ligands for OTs. Regarding to its high Cys content, it is likely that main target of OTs in brain cells is MT-3.
The objective of this project is to study the interaction of human MT-3 towards neuro- and immunotoxic OTs has been detected in drinking water and in human organism.
Human exposure to organotin compounds (OTs) stems from their use as polyvinyl chloride heat stabilisers and as marine biocides. Certain OTs have already been detected in blood, liver or urine samples from individuals. Acute exposures can result in either neurotoxicity or immunotoxicity depending on the specific compound involved.
Attention has been focused on the biological chemistry of OTs recently. It has been shown, that Cys is one of the primary biological ligands for OTs. Regarding to its high Cys content, it is likely that main target of OTs in brain cells is MT-3.
The objective of this project is to study the interaction of human MT-3 towards neuro- and immunotoxic OTs has been detected in drinking water and in human organism.