Zinc as a possible mediator of signal transduction in T lymphocytes.
Our recent findings indicate that phorbol esters, the specific activators of protein kinase C induce the translocation of heavy metals (mostly: zinc) from the nucleus and mitochondria to the cytosol and microsomes of T lymphocytes. Phorbol ester treatment impairs the action of Ca-ionophores, this effect is mediated by intracellular heavy metal ions (most probably: by zinc). Zinc activates cytosolic protein kinase C, increases its affinity towards phorbol esters and contributes to its binding to plasma membranes. These results suggest that zinc may play a role in the "cross-talk" of second messengers and hence in signal transduction in T lymphocytes.
Csermely
P
P
Institute of Biochemistry I, Semmelweis University Medical School, Budapest, Hungary.
Somogyi
J
J
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000502:physiology; D008861:Microsomes / Q000378:metabolism; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D015032:Zinc / Q000502:physiology*
D011493:Protein Kinase C; D015032:Zinc; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; D002118:Calcium