Metallothioneins 1 and 2 are expressed in the olfactory mucosa of mice in untreated animals and during the regeneration of the epithelial layer.

We have examined the expression of the MT1 and MT2 isoforms of metallothionein in the mouse olfactory mucosa. In untreated mice, metallothionein was strongly expressed in supporting cells, acinar cells of the Bowman's glands, and olfactory neurons. Expression was however restricted to a subset of cells within each type, and to zones within the olfactory system. Irrigation with ZnSO4 solution caused exfoliation of the olfactory epithelium and during the resultant regeneration, metallothionein immunoreactivity was associated with the proliferating basal cells. The ability to express MTs 1 and 2 did not appear to be obligatory for the early stages of regeneration since mice which do not express these isoforms responded similarly to wild type mice. Strong nuclear expression of metallothionein was noted in the untreated olfactory chamber following unilateral irrigation.