Binding of Polonium-210 to Liver Metallothionein

The interactions of210 Po at the molecular level in biological systems have received little study even though this α-emitting radionuclide occurs widely in nature. Polonium-210 was given subcutaneously to rats and found to be incorporated into liver metallothionein as judged by a number of criteria including heat stability, acetone precipitation, and chromatography. In vitro studies confirmed this binding. The binding of210 Po to metallothionein has implications that may help explain some of the radiation damage210 Po causes intracellularly.