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A comparison of the effects of penicillamine, trientine, and trithiomolybdate on ( sup 35 S)-labeled metallothionein in vitro; implications for Wilson's disease therapy

Journal Article · · Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry; (USA)
The synthesis of radiolabeled metallothionein was induced in rats in vivo by the injection of CuSO{sub 4} and ({sup 35}S)-cysteine. Treatment of 'cold' rat liver cytosol 'spiked' with purified ({sup 35}S) metallothionein with Penicillamine and Trientine showed that even at relatively high concentrations (up to 50 mg/g liver, wet weight), these compounds had no effect on the copper peak or the position of the ({sup 35S}) label in the cytosol eluate after Sephadex G-75 gel filtration. By contrast, incubation of the 'spiked' liver cytosol with Trithiomolybdate, even at relatively low concentrations (0.5 mg/g liver, wet weight), resulted in a transfer of metallothionein copper to high molecular weight protein fractions; the position of the ({sup 35}S) apoprotein was unaffected. This copper 'stripping' effect on metallothionein supports clinical and other evidence that thiomolybdates have a genuine decoppering effect in vivo whereas Penicillamine and Trientine have another mode of action and indicates that thiomolybdates might provide a more rational alternate therapy for Wilson's disease patients.
OSTI ID:
5602909
Journal Information:
Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry; (USA) Vol. 41:2; ISSN JIBID; ISSN 0162-0134
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English