Zinc: From Biological Functions to Therapeutic Potential

The trace element zinc (Zn) displays a wide range of biological functions. Zn ions control intercellular communication and intracellular events that maintain normal physiological processes. These effects are achieved through the modulation of several Zn-dependent proteins, including transcription fa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of molecular sciences 2023-03, Vol.24 (5), p.4822
Main Authors: Costa, Maria Inês, Sarmento-Ribeiro, Ana Bela, Gonçalves, Ana Cristina
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alzheimer's disease
Apoptosis
Bioavailability
Biology
Carrier Proteins - metabolism
Cell death
Cell growth
Cell proliferation
Cell signaling
Cellular signal transduction
Communication
Diabetes mellitus
DNA binding proteins
DNA repair
Enzymes
Growth factors
Health aspects
Homeostasis
Homeostasis - physiology
Humans
Intracellular
Intracellular signalling
Kinases
Ligands
Phosphorylation
Physiological aspects
Physiological effects
Physiological Phenomena
Potassium
Prostate
Proteins
Review
Signal transduction
Trace elements
Trace Elements - metabolism
Transcription factors
Wilson's disease
Zinc
Zinc - metabolism
Zinc in the body
zinc signaling
zinc signals
zinc transporters
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Summary:The trace element zinc (Zn) displays a wide range of biological functions. Zn ions control intercellular communication and intracellular events that maintain normal physiological processes. These effects are achieved through the modulation of several Zn-dependent proteins, including transcription factors and enzymes of key cell signaling pathways, namely those involved in proliferation, apoptosis, and antioxidant defenses. Efficient homeostatic systems carefully regulate intracellular Zn concentrations. However, perturbed Zn homeostasis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several chronic human diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, depression, Wilson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and other age-related diseases. This review focuses on Zn's roles in cell proliferation, survival/death, and DNA repair mechanisms, outlines some biological Zn targets, and addresses the therapeutic potential of Zn supplementation in some human diseases.
ISSN:1422-0067
1661-6596
1422-0067
DOI:10.3390/ijms24054822