Zinc Probes

Zinc is an essential trace element for humans and other animals, plants and microorganisms. Zinc is required for the function of more than 300 enzymes and 1000 transcription factors and is stored and transferred in metallothionein. It is the second highest level of trace metal in humans after iron and is the only metal found in all enzyme classes. In proteins, zinc ions are usually coordinated to the amino acid side chains of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, cysteine and histidine. The theoretical and computational description of this zinc binding in proteins (and other transition metals) is difficult. About 2-4 grams of zinc is distributed throughout the body. Most of the zinc is found in the brain, muscles, bones, kidneys and liver, and is most abundant in the prostate and part of the eye. Zinc is particularly abundant in semen, and zinc is a key factor in prostate function and reproductive organ growth. The homeostasis of zinc is primarily controlled by the intestines. Here, ZIP4 (especially TRPM7) is associated with intestinal zinc intake necessary for survival after birth. In the human body, the biological effects of zinc are ubiquitous. It interacts with "multiple organic ligands" and plays a role in RNA and DNA metabolism, signal transduction and gene expression. It also regulates apoptosis. A 2006 study estimated that in addition to hundreds of proteins that transport and transport zinc, about 10% of human proteins (2,800) may bind to zinc. A similar computer simulation study in plant Arabidopsis found 2367 zinc-associated proteins.

Zinc Probes

Functions

The physiological function of zinc is generally divided into three parts: catalysis, structure, and regulation.

1. Catalytic function:

There are nearly a hundred enzyme-dependent zinc catalysis, such as ECIII alcohol dehydrogenase, the loss of zinc this enzyme activity will also be lost at any time, zinc supplementation can restore activity. Medicine|education|net collection.

2. Structural function:

Zinc also has a structural role in the enzyme. In the plasma membrane, zinc is mainly bound to the sulfur and nitrogen-containing ligands of the cell membrane, and it is said to bind to the oxygen-containing ligand to form a strong complex, thereby maintaining cell membrane stability and reducing toxin absorption and tissue damage. When food zinc intake is reduced, an important manifestation is the loss of zinc ions in the plasma membrane. The selective loss of zinc from specific subcellular components may be the key to causing primary pathology.

3. Adjustment function:

As a factor regulating gene expression, zinc has a wide range of effects in the body. The regulation of zinc on protein synthesis and metabolism is also manifested in the regulation of immune function. Zinc has important biological significance for the regulation and influence of hormones.

Therefore, the determination of Zn²⁺ content is of great significance in clinical, pharmaceutical, food, environmental monitoring and scientific research.

Zinc Probes

Zinc is the second most abundant transition metal in living organisms (after iron). Many zinc-dependent enzymes and transcription factors are known. Its important role in cellular processes such as gene expression, apoptosis, enzyme regulation and neurotransmission suggest that Zn²⁺ is the major regulatory ion in cellular metabolism. However, little is known about the cellular regulation of Zn²⁺ compared to other cations such as Ca²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺. Most of the abundant Zn²⁺ in the eukaryotes is tightly bound. Regarding the cellular regulation of Zn²⁺, "free" (chelable) Zn²⁺ has a special significance. Higher concentrations of "free" Zn²⁺ were found in the brain, pancreas and sperm. Several tools have been developed to measure chelated Zn²⁺ in living cells to elucidate their physiological significance. Similar to a well-established intracellular Ca²⁺ probe, a series of fluorescent Zn²⁺ probes have been developed. The new probes can be excited in the visible range to avoid cell damage and high background fluorescence.

Reference:

Broadley, M. R.; et al. Zinc in plants. New Phytologist. 2007, 173 (4): 677–702.

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