T-III was also able to efficiently remove the superoxide anion, which was generated from the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system. These results strongly suggest that MT-III is involved in the protection of reactive oxygen species-induced DNA damage, probably via direct interaction with reactive oxygen species, and that MT-III acts as a neuroprotective agent.;Furthermore, induction of MT synthesis with Zn and Cd can protect human CNS cells from radiation-induced cytocidal and sublethal injuries.;Among MTs, a brain-predominant subtype MT-III has prominent neuroprotective activity against various types of damage. Here we show that the expression of MT-III is induced in cultured normal human astrocytes by hypoxia, and that overexpressed MT-III protects human embryonic kidney cells from hypoxia, suggesting that MT-III can protect the brain from hypoxic damage.;Metallothionein-III (MT-III) protects cerebral cortical neurons in established culture from the toxic effect of amyloid ß peptides (Aßs).;MT-3 overexpression in these cells also significantly suppressed MPP+- and salsolinol-induced apoptosis.