A Type 2 metallothionein (HcMT) gene was cloned from H. caspica.
HcMT gene was up-regulated under Cu2 +, Zn2 + and Cd2 + stress in H. caspica.
TrxA-HcMT expressed in E. coli could enhance the tolerance of bacteria to Cu2 +, Zn2 + and Cd2 +.
Purified TrxA-HcMT fusion protein expressed in E. coli has the ability to bind Cu2 +, Zn2 +, and Cd2 +.