[Plant metallothioneins].

Abstract

The review is devoted to the problem of metal-binding proteins (metallothioneins) in plant objects. The chronology of studies, dealt with search of metallothionein-like proteins in plant tissues is described. Data about the structure and function of metallothioneins, the features of metallothioneins-like gene expression in plants is shown. The role of metallothioneins as stress proteins, which are involved in formation of plant reaction on the influence of different stress factors, is discussed.