Metallothionein-3 (MT3) is a member of the metallothionein family of small, cysteine-rich, metal-binding proteins found in eukaryotes and some prokaryotes. Unlike the MT1 and MT2 isoforms, which are ubiquitously expressed, MT3 is predominantly expressed in the brain and central nervous system. Furthermore, MT3 expression does not appear to be induced by exposure to increased concentrations of Zn2+, Pb2+ or Cd2+ - as is the case with MT1 and MT2 family members - but instead appears to be induced in response to hypoxic conditions. In order to confirm the differences in the MT3 and MT2 promoter responses to divalent metal ions and hypoxia, we have prepared an tested luciferase reporter constructs containing 1.2 kb of either the proximal MT3 promoter or the proximal MT2A promoter. Additional truncated MT3 and MT2A promoter constructs and metal response element (MRE) or hypoxia response element (HRE) mutants were prepared and tested to identify specific regions or promoter elements responsible for the unique transcriptional regulation of the human MT3 gene.

Probing metal and hypoxia response elements in the promoter of human metallothionein-3

2019 Spring National Meeting

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