A gene from pea (Pisum sativum L.) with homology to metallothionein genes

While searching for ‘organ-specific’ genes in pea ( Pisum sativum L.) we have isolated a gene (designated PsMT A ) which has an ORF encoding a predicted protein with some similarity to metallothioneins (MTs). The PsMT A transcript is abundant in roots which have not been exposed to elevated concentrations of trace metals.