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...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-03-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/5/4822 |
| _version_ | 1797615187599032320 |
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| author | Maria Inês Costa Ana Bela Sarmento-Ribeiro Ana Cristina Gonçalves |
| author_facet | Maria Inês Costa Ana Bela Sarmento-Ribeiro Ana Cristina Gonçalves |
| author_sort | Maria Inês Costa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:21:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a45c01f0793749e6b47bc272266d5db8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:21:46Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-a45c01f0793749e6b47bc272266d5db82023-11-17T07:53:55ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672023-03-01245482210.3390/ijms24054822Zinc: From Biological Functions to Therapeutic PotentialMaria Inês Costa0Ana Bela Sarmento-Ribeiro1Ana Cristina Gonçalves2Laboratory of Oncobiology and Hematology (LOH), University Clinics of Hematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine (FMUC), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, PortugalLaboratory of Oncobiology and Hematology (LOH), University Clinics of Hematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine (FMUC), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, PortugalLaboratory of Oncobiology and Hematology (LOH), University Clinics of Hematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine (FMUC), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, PortugalThe 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.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/5/4822zinc signalszinc transporterszinc signalingcell proliferationcell deathDNA repair |
| spellingShingle | Maria Inês Costa Ana Bela Sarmento-Ribeiro Ana Cristina Gonçalves Zinc: From Biological Functions to Therapeutic Potential International Journal of Molecular Sciences zinc signals zinc transporters zinc signaling cell proliferation cell death DNA repair |
| title | Zinc: From Biological Functions to Therapeutic Potential |
| title_full | Zinc: From Biological Functions to Therapeutic Potential |
| title_fullStr | Zinc: From Biological Functions to Therapeutic Potential |
| title_full_unstemmed | Zinc: From Biological Functions to Therapeutic Potential |
| title_short | Zinc: From Biological Functions to Therapeutic Potential |
| title_sort | zinc from biological functions to therapeutic potential |
| topic | zinc signals zinc transporters zinc signaling cell proliferation cell death DNA repair |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/5/4822 |
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