Cellular zinc metabolism and zinc signaling: from biological functions to diseases and therapeutic targets
Abstract Zinc metabolism at the cellular level is critical for many biological processes in the body. A key observation is the disruption of cellular homeostasis, often coinciding with disease progression. As an essential factor in maintaining cellular equilibrium, cellular zinc has been increasingl...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Publishing Group
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-023-01679-y |
| _version_ | 1797362825176285184 |
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| author | Bonan Chen Peiyao Yu Wai Nok Chan Fuda Xie Yigan Zhang Li Liang Kam Tong Leung Kwok Wai Lo Jun Yu Gary M. K. Tse Wei Kang Ka Fai To |
| author_facet | Bonan Chen Peiyao Yu Wai Nok Chan Fuda Xie Yigan Zhang Li Liang Kam Tong Leung Kwok Wai Lo Jun Yu Gary M. K. Tse Wei Kang Ka Fai To |
| author_sort | Bonan Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Zinc metabolism at the cellular level is critical for many biological processes in the body. A key observation is the disruption of cellular homeostasis, often coinciding with disease progression. As an essential factor in maintaining cellular equilibrium, cellular zinc has been increasingly spotlighted in the context of disease development. Extensive research suggests zinc’s involvement in promoting malignancy and invasion in cancer cells, despite its low tissue concentration. This has led to a growing body of literature investigating zinc’s cellular metabolism, particularly the functions of zinc transporters and storage mechanisms during cancer progression. Zinc transportation is under the control of two major transporter families: SLC30 (ZnT) for the excretion of zinc and SLC39 (ZIP) for the zinc intake. Additionally, the storage of this essential element is predominantly mediated by metallothioneins (MTs). This review consolidates knowledge on the critical functions of cellular zinc signaling and underscores potential molecular pathways linking zinc metabolism to disease progression, with a special focus on cancer. We also compile a summary of clinical trials involving zinc ions. Given the main localization of zinc transporters at the cell membrane, the potential for targeted therapies, including small molecules and monoclonal antibodies, offers promising avenues for future exploration. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T16:12:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-09e92dfd5d834ba09b5bb3234a545c80 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2059-3635 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T16:12:00Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy |
| spelling | doaj.art-09e92dfd5d834ba09b5bb3234a545c802024-01-07T12:49:07ZengNature Publishing GroupSignal Transduction and Targeted Therapy2059-36352024-01-019114110.1038/s41392-023-01679-yCellular zinc metabolism and zinc signaling: from biological functions to diseases and therapeutic targetsBonan Chen0Peiyao Yu1Wai Nok Chan2Fuda Xie3Yigan Zhang4Li Liang5Kam Tong Leung6Kwok Wai Lo7Jun Yu8Gary M. K. Tse9Wei Kang10Ka Fai To11Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongDepartment of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital and Basic Medical College, Southern Medical University, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor PathologyDepartment of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongDepartment of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongInstitute of Biomedical Research, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of MedicineDepartment of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital and Basic Medical College, Southern Medical University, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor PathologyDepartment of Pediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong KongDepartment of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongState Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongDepartment of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongDepartment of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongDepartment of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongAbstract Zinc metabolism at the cellular level is critical for many biological processes in the body. A key observation is the disruption of cellular homeostasis, often coinciding with disease progression. As an essential factor in maintaining cellular equilibrium, cellular zinc has been increasingly spotlighted in the context of disease development. Extensive research suggests zinc’s involvement in promoting malignancy and invasion in cancer cells, despite its low tissue concentration. This has led to a growing body of literature investigating zinc’s cellular metabolism, particularly the functions of zinc transporters and storage mechanisms during cancer progression. Zinc transportation is under the control of two major transporter families: SLC30 (ZnT) for the excretion of zinc and SLC39 (ZIP) for the zinc intake. Additionally, the storage of this essential element is predominantly mediated by metallothioneins (MTs). This review consolidates knowledge on the critical functions of cellular zinc signaling and underscores potential molecular pathways linking zinc metabolism to disease progression, with a special focus on cancer. We also compile a summary of clinical trials involving zinc ions. Given the main localization of zinc transporters at the cell membrane, the potential for targeted therapies, including small molecules and monoclonal antibodies, offers promising avenues for future exploration.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-023-01679-y |
| spellingShingle | Bonan Chen Peiyao Yu Wai Nok Chan Fuda Xie Yigan Zhang Li Liang Kam Tong Leung Kwok Wai Lo Jun Yu Gary M. K. Tse Wei Kang Ka Fai To Cellular zinc metabolism and zinc signaling: from biological functions to diseases and therapeutic targets Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy |
| title | Cellular zinc metabolism and zinc signaling: from biological functions to diseases and therapeutic targets |
| title_full | Cellular zinc metabolism and zinc signaling: from biological functions to diseases and therapeutic targets |
| title_fullStr | Cellular zinc metabolism and zinc signaling: from biological functions to diseases and therapeutic targets |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cellular zinc metabolism and zinc signaling: from biological functions to diseases and therapeutic targets |
| title_short | Cellular zinc metabolism and zinc signaling: from biological functions to diseases and therapeutic targets |
| title_sort | cellular zinc metabolism and zinc signaling from biological functions to diseases and therapeutic targets |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-023-01679-y |
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