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NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway

The transcription factor NF-κB was discovered in 1986 in the lab of Nobel laureate Professor David Baltimore, for its interaction with the immunoglobulin light chain enhancer in B-cells. After more than three decades of study, it is now evident that NF-κB regulates the expression of over 100 genes. Most of these genes play an essential role in the innate and adaptive immune responses as well as the inflammatory responses of animals.
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Updated: May 10, 2026

Atomic Absorbance Spectroscopy to Measure Intracellular Zinc Pools in Mammalian Cells
13:04

Atomic Absorbance Spectroscopy to Measure Intracellular Zinc Pools in Mammalian Cells

Published on: May 16, 2019

Zinc signals and immune function.

Hajo Haase1, Lothar Rink

  • 1Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, Aachen, Germany.

Biofactors (Oxford, England)
|June 28, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Zinc is crucial for immune function, impacting all immune cells. This study details how zinc ions regulate immunity through protein interactions and signal transduction pathways.

Keywords:
protein tyrosine phosphatasessecond messengersignal transduction

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Characterizing Mammalian Zinc Transporters Using an In Vitro Zinc Transport Assay
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Characterizing Mammalian Zinc Transporters Using an In Vitro Zinc Transport Assay

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Last Updated: May 10, 2026

Atomic Absorbance Spectroscopy to Measure Intracellular Zinc Pools in Mammalian Cells
13:04

Atomic Absorbance Spectroscopy to Measure Intracellular Zinc Pools in Mammalian Cells

Published on: May 16, 2019

Characterizing Mammalian Zinc Transporters Using an In Vitro Zinc Transport Assay
07:55

Characterizing Mammalian Zinc Transporters Using an In Vitro Zinc Transport Assay

Published on: June 2, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Zinc deficiency has been known to impair immune function for over 50 years.
  • Recent advances provide molecular insights into zinc's regulatory role in immunity.
  • Zinc homeostasis is tightly regulated by transport proteins (ZnT, ZIP) and storage protein (metallothionein).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which zinc ions regulate the immune system.
  • To highlight the dual role of zinc as a structural/catalytic component and a signaling molecule.
  • To emphasize the impact of zinc status on various immune cell populations.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on zinc biochemistry and immunology.
  • Analysis of molecular targets affected by zinc ions.
  • Discussion of zinc's role in innate and adaptive immunity.

Main Results:

  • Zinc deficiency affects neutrophil granulocytes, monocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, T cells, and B cells.
  • T cell function and subset balance are particularly sensitive to zinc levels.
  • Zinc ions function both structurally/catalytically within proteins and as signaling molecules.

Conclusions:

  • Zinc ions are essential for immune cell function, acting as cofactors and regulators.
  • Free zinc ions act as second messengers in immune cell signal transduction.
  • Understanding zinc's role is critical for immune health and therapeutic strategies.