Overactivation of glutamate receptors and subsequent deregulation of the intraneuronal calcium ([Ca2+]i) levels are critical components of the injurious pathways initiated by cerebral ischemia. Another hallmark of stroke is parenchymal acidosis, and we have previously shown that mild acidosis can act as a switch to decrease NMDAR-dependent neuronal loss while potentiating the neuronal loss medi...

Intracellular free zinc concentration ([Zn2+]i) is very important for cell functions, and its excessive accumulation is cytotoxic. [Zn2+]i can increase rapidly in cardiomyocytes because of mobilization of Zn2+ from intracellular stores by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, ROS have been proposed to contribute to direct and/or indirect damage to cardiomyocytes in diabetes. To address these...

Addition of 0.5-2.0 mM zinc (Zn2+) to proliferating Tetrahymena cultures in 2% proteose peptone (PP) medium induced varying lag periods (~1⁄2-4 h) before proliferation resumed at almost normal (0.5, 0.75 mM) or decreased rates (1, 1.5, 2 mM). Initially cells in 1 mM Zn2+ moved slowly whereas in higher concentrations a dose-dependent number of cells ceased to move exhibiting rocking movements; t...

The activity of leukocyte alkaline phosphatase is inhibited by a number of amino acids, most notably cysteine and histidine. The mechanism of this inhibition involves chelation of Zn2+ by the amino acids, as indicated by the complete reversal of the inhibition by added Zn2+. The concentrations of amino acids and Zn2 required to affect the enzyme activity are such that their interaction might re...

The performance of olive stone activated carbon (OSAC) for sorption of Cu2+, Zn2+ and Ni2+ ions was investigated via batch technique. OSAC materials were prepared under different physially activation conditions. Olive stone waste was physically activated with N2 gas and steam gas at 900oC at 3.5h hold time (OSAC-3) was choice as the best one for Cu2+, Zn2+ and Ni2+ removal. Characterization for...

Recent discoveries in zinc biology provide a new platform for discussing the primary physiological functions of mammalian metallothioneins (MTs) and their exquisite zinc-dependent regulation. It is now understood that the control of cellular zinc homeostasis includes buffering of Zn2+ ions at picomolar concentrations, extensive subcellular re-distribution of Zn2+, the loading of exocytotic vesi...

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs), a novel class of ligand-gated cation channels activated by protons, are highly expressed in peripheral sensory and central neurons. Activation of ASICs may play an important role in physiological processes such as nociception, mechanosensation, and learning-memory, and in the pathology of neurological conditions such as brain ischemia. Modulation of the activi...

The metalloisomerase glyoxalase I (GlxI) catalyses the conversion of methylglyoxal-glutathione hemithioacetal and related derivatives into the corresponding thioesters. In contrast with the previously characterized GlxI enzymes of Homo sapiens, Pseudomonas putida and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we recently determined that Escherichia coli GlxI surprisingly did not display Zn2+-activation, but ins...

We demonstrate, for the first time, catalysis by Escherichia coli ribonuclease P (RNase P) RNA with Zn2+ as the sole divalent metal ion cofactor in the presence of ammonium, but not sodium or potassium salts. Hill analysis suggests a role for two or more Zn2+ ions in catalysis. Whereas Zn2+ destabilizes substrate ground state binding to an extent that precludes reliable Kd determination, Co(NH3...

This review summarizes the evidence that apoptosis is m odulated by intracellular excess or deficiency of Zn2 + , considers mechanisms whereby Zn2+ may influence apoptosis, and delineates gaps in current knowledge and opportunities for research. The experimental evidence supports four major conclusions: [1] Z inc deficiency, resu lting from dietary deprivation of m ice, or exposure of cultured ...