Metallothionein I reduction of cytochrome c.

Using absorption spectroscopy we have found that metallothionein I at concentrations as low as 1 microM reduces ferricytochrome c. This reduction is more potent than that of another abundant intracellular thiol, glutathione. Also, oxidation of ferricytochrome c which had been reduced by metallothionein I occurs more slowly than when the reductant was glutathione. Over a pH range of 6 through 9 there is no variation in the initial rate of metallothionein I reduction of ferricytochrome c. These data demonstrate a potent interaction between metallothionein I and ferricytochrome c.