MT2A (Metallothionein-2A)

MT2A (Metallothionein-2A)

Introduction

<table class="infobox infobox-gene">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">MT2A (Metallothionein-2A)</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Gene Symbol</td>
<td>MT2A</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Full Name</td>
<td>Metallothionein-2A</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Chromosomal Location</td>
<td>16q13</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">NCBI Gene ID</td>
<td>4502</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">OMIM ID</td>
<td>156361</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Ensembl ID</td>
<td>ENSG00000125148 (actually MT1A cluster)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt ID</td>
<td>P02795</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Encoded Protein</td>
<td>Metallothionein-2A</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Protein Size</td>
<td>61 amino acids (~6-7 kDa)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Associated Diseases</td>
<td>Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, cancer</td>
</tr>
</table>

MT2A (Metallothionein-2A)

Introduction

<table class="infobox infobox-gene">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">MT2A (Metallothionein-2A)</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Gene Symbol</td>
<td>MT2A</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Full Name</td>
<td>Metallothionein-2A</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Chromosomal Location</td>
<td>16q13</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">NCBI Gene ID</td>
<td>4502</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">OMIM ID</td>
<td>156361</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Ensembl ID</td>
<td>ENSG00000125148 (actually MT1A cluster)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt ID</td>
<td>P02795</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Encoded Protein</td>
<td>Metallothionein-2A</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Protein Size</td>
<td>61 amino acids (~6-7 kDa)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Associated Diseases</td>
<td>Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, cancer</td>
</tr>
</table>

MT2A encodes Metallothionein-2A, a member of the metallothionein family of metal-binding proteins. Like other metallothioneins, MT2A plays essential roles in metal homeostasis, oxidative stress protection, and cellular defense. MT2A is highly expressed in the brain and is upregulated in response to various cellular stresses. It has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurodegenerative conditions. This page covers MT2A structure, function, disease associations, and therapeutic potential. [@coyle1995]

Overview

Structure

MT2A is highly homologous to other metallothioneins:

• 61 amino acids in length
• 20 cysteine residues
• Two-domain structure (α and β domains)
• Binds 7 zinc or other metal ions

Normal Physiological Functions

Metal Homeostasis

MT2A regulates intracellular zinc and copper levels:

• Buffers cytosolic zinc concentrations
• Participates in zinc trafficking
• Protects against metal toxicity

Antioxidant Defense

MT2A is a potent antioxidant:

• Scavenges [reactive oxygen species](/entities/reactive-oxygen-species)
• Protects against lipid peroxidation
• Reduces metal-catalyzed oxidative damage

Immunomodulation

MT2A modulates immune responses:

• Regulates cytokine production
• Affects microglial activation
• Modulates inflammatory responses

Disease Associations

Alzheimer's Disease

MT2A in AD:

• Upregulated in early AD brain
• May buffer metals involved in [Aβ](/proteins/amyloid-beta) aggregation
• Genetic variants associated with AD risk

Parkinson's Disease

In PD:

• Protects dopaminergic [neurons](/entities/neurons) from oxidative stress
• Upregulated in substantia nigra of PD patients
• May influence [α-synuclein](/proteins/alpha-synuclein) aggregation

Epilepsy

MT2A expression increases following seizures and may provide neuroprotection against excitotoxicity.

Expression

MT2A is expressed in:

• Brain (neurons, [astrocytes](/entities/astrocytes), microglia)
• Liver
• Kidney
• Heart
• Immune cells

• Metals (zinc, copper)
• Oxidative stress
• Cytokines
• Glucocorticoids

Key Publications

Therapeutic Potential

MT2A is being investigated as a therapeutic target:

• Metal-based therapies must consider metallothionein interactions
• Gene therapy approaches to increase MT2A expression
• Small molecule inducers of metallothionein expression

Cross-References

• [MT1A](/genes/mt1a) — Metallothionein-1A
• [Zinc](/entities/zinc) — Essential metal ion
• [Oxidative Stress](/mechanisms/oxidative-stress) — Antioxidant mechanisms
• [Neuroinflammation](/mechanisms/neuroinflammation) — Inflammatory mechanisms
• [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease) — PD mechanisms

See Also

• [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
• [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
• [Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)](/diseases/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis)
• [Huntington's Disease](/diseases/huntingtons)
• [Frontotemporal Dementia](/diseases/frontotemporal-dementia)
• [Neurodegeneration](/neurodegeneration)

External Links

• [National Institute on Aging (NIA)](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers)
• [Alzheimer's Association](https://www.alz.org/)
• [Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research](https://www.michaeljfox.org/)
• [ALS Association](https://www.als.org/)
• [Cure Huntington's Disease Initiative (CHDI)](https://www.hdinsight.org/)
• [National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)](https://www.ninds.nih.gov/)

References