Zinc plays an important role in the regulation of many cellular functions; it is a signaling molecule involved transduction several cascades response to intra and extracellular stimuli. Labile zinc small fraction total intracellular zinc, that loosely bound proteins easily interchangeable. At level, molecules can bind labile promote its passage across lipophilic membranes. Such are known as ion...

PURPOSE To characterize the involvement of Zip2, a zinc transporter protein, in the antioxidant functions of cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. METHODS The expression of zinc transporter proteins was determined by RT-PCR. Intracellular zinc concentration was assessed by staining with a zinc-sensitive dye followed by flow cytometry. Stable overexpression of the transporter ...

Zinc metal nanoparticles in picomolar concentrations strongly enhance odorant responses of olfactory sensory neurons. One- to 2-nm metallic particles contain 40-300 zinc metal atoms, which are not in an ionic state. We exposed rat olfactory epithelium to metal nanoparticles and measured odorant responses by electroolfactogram and whole-cell patch clamp. A small amount of zinc nanoparticles adde...

The influence of zinc deficiency on the modulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was studied. Using human IMR-32 cells as a model of neuronal cells, the role of oxidants on MAPKs and activator protein-1 (AP-1) activation in zinc deficiency was investigated, characterizing the participation ...

Micronutrient homeostasis is a key factor in maintaining a healthy immune system. Zinc is an essential micronutrient that is involved in the regulation of the innate and adaptive immune responses. The main cause of zinc deficiency is malnutrition. Zinc deficiency leads to cell-mediated immune dysfunctions among other manifestations. Consequently, such dysfunctions lead to a worse outcome in the...

UNLABELLED BACKGROUND The salt tolerance of halophilic bacteria make them promising candidates for technical applications, like isolation of salt tolerant enzymes or remediation of contaminated saline soils and waters. Furthermore, some halophilic bacteria synthesize inorganic solids resulting in organic-inorganic hybrids. This process is known as biomineralization, which is induced and/or c...