title: A possible significant role of zinc and GPR39 zinc sensing receptor in Alzheimer disease and epilepsy.
abstract: Zinc the essential trace element, plays a significant role in the brain development and in the proper brain functions at every stage of life. Misbalance of zinc (Zn(2+)) ions in the central nervous system is involved in the pathogenesis of numerous neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Depression, and Epilepsy. In brain, Zn(2+) has been identified as a ligand, capable of activating and inhibiting the receptors including the NMDA-type glutamate receptors (NMDARs), GABAA receptors, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), glycine receptors (glyR) and serotonin receptors (5-HT3). Recently GPR39 has been identified as a zinc-specific receptor, widely expressed in brain tissues including the frontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus. GPR39, when binding with Zn(2+) has shown promising therapeutic potentials. This review presents current knowledge regarding the role of GPR39 zinc sensing receptor in brain, with a focus on Alzheimer's disease and Epilepsy. Although the results are encouraging, further research is needed to clarify zinc and GPR39 role in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and Epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China. Electronic address: mzahidk786@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Muhammad Zahid
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000378:metabolism*; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D015032:Zinc
keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Epilepsy; GPR39 receptor; Zinc