Metallothionein-3
Function
Binds heavy metals. Contains three zinc and three copper atoms per polypeptide chain and only a negligible amount of cadmium. Inhibits survival and neurite formation of cortical neurons in vitro.
Sequence Similarities
Belongs to the metallothionein superfamily. Type 1 family.
Tissue Specificity
Abundant in a subset of astrocytes in the normal human brain, but greatly reduced in the Alzheimer disease (AD) brain.
Alternative names
Metallothionein-3, MT-3, GIFB, Growth inhibitory factor, Metallothionein-III, GIF, MT-III, MT3