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Zinc Signals in Cellular Functions and Disorders pp 183–196Cite as

The Clinical Implications of Impaired Zinc Signaling in the Brain

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Abstract

Zinc is an essential requirement for normal cellular processes and is involved in the function of more than 300 enzymes. Currently, it is estimated that approximately 10 % of the proteins encoded by the human genome contain zinc. Zinc is necessary for neuromodulation, synaptic transmission, intracellular signal transduction, and myriad other processes. The clinical implications of impaired zinc signaling are, therefore, far reaching, with profound central and peripheral disorders arising as a result of either an acute or a long-term dyshomeostasis in normal zinc levels. Targeting zinc as a therapy is now emerging as a tantalizing, although especially difficult, approach to a variety of diseases, including central nervous system disorders. This chapter reviews the clinical implications of impaired zinc signaling in the brain.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Synaptic Neurobiology Laboratory, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia

    Sara M. Hancock & Paul A. Adlard

  2. Oxidation Biology Laboratory, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia

    Ashley I. Bush

Authors
  1. Sara M. Hancock
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  2. Ashley I. Bush
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  3. Paul A. Adlard
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Correspondence to Paul A. Adlard .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Homeostatic Network, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan

    Toshiyuki Fukada

  2. Division of Integrated Life Science, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

    Taiho Kambe

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Hancock, S.M., Bush, A.I., Adlard, P.A. (2014). The Clinical Implications of Impaired Zinc Signaling in the Brain. In: Fukada, T., Kambe, T. (eds) Zinc Signals in Cellular Functions and Disorders. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-55114-0_9

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