Zinc Homeostasis in Lung

Zinc is an essential trace metal whose intracellular levels ([Zn]i) are maintained by a dynamic process of transport, intracellular vesicular storage, and binding to a large number of proteins including metalloenzymes, structural proteins, and transcription factors. A vanishingly small chelatable (or labile) pool participates in signal transduction pathways. Zinc deficiencies, per se, can arise from acquired or genetic factors or as a component of various diseases. Hypozincemia has profound effects on developing humans, affecting all facets of physiological function although considerably less is known regarding respiratory pathophysiology. In addition, levels above normal are also associated with injury and disease, and the lung is particularly sensitive to increased burdens of zinc after environmental exposures. Furthermore, zinc is a component of variety of therapeutic agents, some of which achieve their desired or inadvertent effects via interactions with other metals. In this review, we provide an update on current knowledge of molecular and cellular aspects of zinc homeostasis with special reference to lung and zinc signaling. We place these concepts in the context of integrated physiological and pharmacological systems.

Duke Scholars

Author Huihua Li Pathology