Automated description from the Alliance of Genome Resources (Release 7.0.0)
Enables copper ion binding activity. Involved in negative regulation of neuron apoptotic process. Acts upstream of or within several processes, including cellular response to chromate; cellular response to zinc ion; and detoxification of copper ion. Located in cytosol and lysosome. Is expressed in several structures, including alimentary system; early conceptus; genitourinary system; sensory organ; and ventricular layer. Orthologous to several human genes including MT1A (metallothionein 1A); MT1B (metallothionein 1B); and MT1E (metallothionein 1E).