Enables cadmium ion binding activity and zinc ion binding activity. Involved in astrocyte activation. Predicted to be located in cytoplasm and nucleus. Biomarker of Alzheimer's disease; kidney failure; median neuropathy; retinitis pigmentosa; and transient cerebral ischemia. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in carotid stenosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Orthologous to several human genes including MT1E (metallothionein 1E); MT1F (metallothionein 1F); and MT1X (metallothionein 1X). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]