MT1H

MT1H, also known as metallothionein-1H, is a human gene encoding a member of the metallothionein protein family. Metallothioneins are small, cysteine-rich proteins that bind heavy metal ions such as zinc, copper, and cadmium. They play roles in metal ion homeostasis, detoxification, and protection against oxidative stress.

The MT1H gene is situated in a gene cluster on chromosome 16q13 that contains several MT1 family members, including MT1A, MT1B, MT1E, MT1F, MT1G, MT1H, MT1M, and MT1X. The encoded MT-1H protein is part of the MT1 subgroup of metallothioneins.

Protein characteristics: MT-1H is a small protein (approximately 61–68 amino acids) with a high cysteine content essential for metal binding. It is predicted to be cytosolic.

Regulation and expression: Expression of MT1H can be induced by metal exposure (e.g., zinc, cadmium) and oxidative stress, largely mediated by metal-regulatory transcription factor 1 (MTF-1). Basal expression varies across tissues and conditions, and transcription can be subject to epigenetic regulation.

Clinical relevance: Altered MT1H expression has been reported in several cancers and other diseases, with some studies noting promoter methylation-associated silencing in tumors. The precise role of MT1H in disease biology remains an area of active research, and it has been proposed as a potential biomarker in certain contexts.