| abstract |
A high-cysteine polypeptide having an amino acid sequence of the formula: n n -(γ-Glu-Cys).sub.n -Gly n n in which, n n is an integer from 4 to 7, n γ-Glu represents γ-glutamic acid, n Cys represents cysteine, and n Gly represents glycine, n for use in pharmaceutical preparations for treating acute and chronic heavy metal poisoning. Alternatively, the polypeptides may be employed in the treatment of metal deficiency phenomena or for maintaining the homeostasis in physiological systems with respect to such metals as iron or zinc. Processes for producing the polypeptides of the invention are also disclosed. |