Zinc Signaling by “Zinc Wave”

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) is an essential heavy metal for all organisms. Zn homeostasis is maintained in mammalian cells through the activity of Zn transporters and Zn-permeable channels and through metallothionein expression levels. Zn is important in nucleic acid metabolism, cell replication, and tissue growth and repair. Zn deficiency is associated with a wide range of pathological conditions, such as impaired immunity, growth retardation, disorders in brain development, and delayed wound healing. Zn binds and affects the activity of several signaling molecules and of transcription factors that have a Zn-binding motif. However, whether Zn itself, as does calcium, acts as an intracellular signaling molecule has been a point of speculation. Recently, we and other groups have demonstrated that Zn does indeed act as an intracellular signaling molecule, converting extracellular stimuli to intracellular signals and controlling various cell functions. This chapter summarizes our current understanding of Zn signaling, especially with regard to the Zn wave and the role of Zn signaling in immune cells, and discusses how these processes contribute to allergic responses.

Virulent Diuraphis noxia Aphids Over-Express Calcium Signaling Proteins to Overcome Defenses of Aphid-Resistant Wheat Plants

“…Zn is essential for maintaining PKC structure and translocation through the plasma membrane [ 44 , 45 ]. Biotype 1 up-regulated both a CCHC type/RNA binding zinc finger protein and a SOD copper chaperone protein in response to Dn4 , presumably to suppress ROS responses “ S1 Table ” but these were insufficient to overcome Dn4 defenses.…”

Zinc homeostasis and redox alterations in obesity

“…Alternatively, zinc signals may originate from ions stored intracellularly. Similar to calcium, eukaryotic cells store zinc ions in some cellular compartments where they perform important functions, and they can be released in response to various stimuli (181)(182)(183)(184)(185)(186). Remarkably, extracellular and intracellular zinc signals trigger a zinc burst, but the time scale of zinc release from intracellular stores is slightly slower than that of extracellular zinc flux (116,187).…”

Effects of oxidative stress‐induced increases in Zn2+ concentrations in human gingival epithelial cells

“…The trace mineral Zn 2+ functions as a cofactor for various enzymes and transcription factors 14 and is indispensable to living bodies. When released from the cellular vesicle, Zn 2+ functions as a secondary messenger for the maintenance of intracellular homeostasis 15‐18 . While plasma Zn 2+ concentrations are typically low (13.8 μmol/L‐22.9 μmol/L), 19 increases in intracellular or plasma Zn 2+ concentrations have been associated with the development of cancer, diabetes, and inflammation 20‐22 .…”