Metallothioneins (MTs), low molecular mass cysteine-rich proteins, which are able to bind up to 20 monovalent and up to 7 divalent heavy metal ions are widely studied due to their functions in detoxification of metals, scavenging free radicals and cells protection against the oxidative stress. It was found that the loss of the protective effects of MT leads to an escalation of pathogenic processes and carcinogenesis. The most extensive area is MTs expression for oncological applications, where the information about gene patterns is helpful for the identification biological function, resistance to drugs and creating the correct chemotherapy. In other medical applications the effect of oxidative stress to cell lines exposed to heavy metals and hydrogen peroxide is studied as well as influence of drugs and cytokines on MTs expression and MTs expression in the adipose tissue. The precise detection of low metallothionein concentrations and its isoforms is necessary to understand the connection between quantity and isoforms of MTs to size, localization and type of cancer. This information is necessary for well-timed therapy and increase the chance to survival. Microarray chips appear as good possibility for finding all information about expression of MTs genes and isoforms not only in cancer, but also in other diseases, especially diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, ageing, osteoporosis, psychiatric disorders and as the effects of toxic drugs and pollutants, which is discussed in this review.

Central European Institute of Technology Brno University of Technology Technicka 3058 10 CZ 61600 Brno Czech Republic; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty of Agronomy Mendel University in Brno Zemedelska 1 CZ 61300 Brno Czech Republic

Department of Accounting and Taxes Mendel University in Brno Zemedelska 1 CZ 61300 Brno Czech Republic

Department of Biomedical and Environmental Analysis Faculty of Pharmacy Wroclaw Medical University Borowska 211 50 556 Wroclaw Poland

Department of Dermatology Faculty of Medicine University of Debrecen Debrecen Hungary

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