Dogfish metallothionein--I. Purification and characterization and comparison with rat metallothionein.

A low-molecular weight metal-binding protein has been found in the liver of the dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) in both control and cadmium-treated animals and in both male and female animals. This protein is present as Zn, Cu-protein in control and as Cd, Zn, Cu-protein cadmium-treated (both water and i.p. administration) animals. This hepatic protein was characterized as metallothionein from several properties related to mammalian metallothionein. A different response to cadmium administration between sexes is suggested.