Effects of metallothionein on nervous system and neurological diseases

Many experimental data show that metallothionein (MT), which is a metal-binding protein, has a close relation with neuroprotection and neurological diseases in mammals. This study aims to clarify the effect of metallothionein on nervous system and neurological diseases. Random control trials that investigated the association of metallothionein and neurological diseases were included in the review by researching MEDLINE, EMBASE and PubMed up to April 2013. Although single αand β-domain all have important function of neuroprotection, each of them is indispensable in conducting its bioactivity. Many experiments showed that some drugs/compounds exert neuron protective effects mainly via upregulation of MT. Regardless of the endogenous or exogenous MT, they all have the function of neuroprotective in rats after spinal cord injury. MT has a high potential for the neuroprotection and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as diabetic neuropathy, alzheimer’s disease, parkinson’s disease, huntington’s disease, cerebral ischemia, and muscle function owing to its various functions including anti-oxidant properties and modulators not only for Zn but for Cu in the extraand intracellular spaces.