title: Zinc homeostasis and signaling in health and diseases: Zinc signaling.
abstract: The essential trace element zinc (Zn) is widely required in cellular functions, and abnormal Zn homeostasis causes a variety of health problems that include growth retardation, immunodeficiency, hypogonadism, and neuronal and sensory dysfunctions. Zn homeostasis is regulated through Zn transporters, permeable channels, and metallothioneins. Recent studies highlight Zn's dynamic activity and its role as a signaling mediator. Zn acts as an intracellular signaling molecule, capable of communicating between cells, converting extracellular stimuli to intracellular signals, and controlling intracellular events. We have proposed that intracellular Zn signaling falls into two classes, early and late Zn signaling. This review addresses recent findings regarding Zn signaling and its role in physiological processes and pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Cytokine Signaling, RIKEN Research Center for Allergy and Immunology, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fukada
authors.forename: Satoru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamasaki
authors.forename: Keigo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishida
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murakami
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D004194:Disease; D006262:Health; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; C017800:zinc-binding protein; D015032:Zinc