The enhanced induction of metallothionein by zinc, its half-life in the marine fish Pleuronectes platessa, and the influence of stress factors on metallothionein levels.

Intraperitoneal injection of zinc raised levels of a hepatic metallothionein-like species. Assuming that this species was metallothionein (MT) then levels were raised from approximately 20 micrograms/g to 300 micrograms/g in 7 days, and levels thereafter remained high for the next 4 weeks. The half-lives of the protein in liver and kidney from starved fish, measured using in vivo incorporation of 35S cysteine at 11 degrees C, were approximately 27 days and 32 days respectively. The following agents failed to stimulate synthesis of MT in plaice: stress (due to catching), endotoxin, dexamethasone, cortisol and turpentine.