中文摘要：

金属硫蛋白（metallothioneins,MTs）是一类富含半胱氨酸残基并与金属离子结合的小分子蛋白,广泛分布于细菌、植物、无脊椎动物和脊椎动物体内,由于疏基和金属含量极高加上结构特殊,因此被称为金属硫蛋白。MTs广泛参与细胞生命活动的调节过程,其生物学功能主要有维持金属离子内稳态、解毒重金属、清除氧自由基、抑制炎症因子等。

英文摘要：

Metallothioneins（ MTs） are small,cysteine-rich and metal ions binding proteins,which are widely distributed in various mammalian organs. A large number of studies have found that MTs regulate metal ion homeostasis,detoxify the toxicity of heavy metal,scavenge oxygen free radicals,inhibit inflammatory cytokines and aging body,store zinc,prevent cells to become cancerous and protect against radiation and apoptosis. Recent studies suggest that metallothionein,as a multifunctional protein,may be involved in direct or indirect regulation of mitochondrial function. In particular,metallothionein plays an important role in maintaining mitochondrial function and repairing mitochondrial damage under oxidative stress. This review focus on the effects and mechanisms of metallothioneins on the regulation of mitochondrial function.