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Characterizing Mammalian Zinc Transporters Using an In Vitro Zinc Transport Assay
Published on: June 2, 2023
Zinc is a novel intracellular second messenger
Satoru Yamasaki1, Kumiko Sakata-Sogawa, Aiko Hasegawa
1Laboratory for Cytokine Signaling, RIKEN Research Center for Allergy and Immunology, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
The Journal of Cell Biology
|May 16, 2007
Summary
Zinc acts as a novel intracellular second messenger. Cross-linking the FcepsilonRI receptor triggers a zinc wave, modulating cell signaling and demonstrating zinc's role in transducing stimuli.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Neuroscience
- Trace Element Metabolism
Background:
- Zinc is essential for enzymatic activity and transcription factor conformation, requiring tight homeostasis.
- While zinc influences signaling molecules and neurotransmission, its role as an intracellular second messenger is unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether zinc functions as an intracellular second messenger.
- To explore the role of zinc in transducing extracellular stimuli into intracellular signaling events.
Main Methods:
- Induction of the high affinity immunoglobulin E receptor (FcepsilonRI) cross-linking in mast cells.
- Monitoring of free zinc release from the perinuclear area and endoplasmic reticulum.
- Analysis of the dependence of zinc release on calcium influx and MAPK/ERK kinase activation.
Main Results:
- Cross-linking FcepsilonRI induced a "zinc wave," a release of free zinc from the perinuclear area and endoplasmic reticulum.
- The zinc wave was dependent on calcium influx and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase activation.
- The zinc wave modulated the duration and strength of FcepsilonRI-mediated signaling.
Conclusions:
- Zinc acts as a novel intracellular second messenger.
- The "zinc wave" phenomenon is involved in intracellular signaling events.
- Zinc plays a role in transducing extracellular stimuli via the FcepsilonRI pathway.
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