锌及锌转运体在恶性肿瘤中的作用及机制研究进展

Research Progress on the Role and Mechanism of Zinc and Zinc Transporters in Malignant Tumors

锌离子是人体内含量仅次于铁,丰度排位第二的微量元素。锌离子在细胞中充当第二信使并且对于蛋白质的正常结构和功能非常重要,因此参与到多种重要细胞生理过程当中,包括细胞周期进程、细胞分裂等。细胞内维持锌离子平衡主要是通过两大金属转运体家族的共同调节:ZnT(SLC30A)和ZIP(SLC39A)家族。在癌症中,锌离子平衡失调和锌转运蛋白的异常表达被发现与肿瘤的发生、进展有着紧密的关系。但是关于锌离子和锌转运蛋白在癌症中的具体作用,不同研究之间存在争议。这种矛盾也成为围绕锌离子稳态的治疗研发和临床应用的主要障碍。该文总结并讨论了锌离子及锌转运体在癌症中发挥的作用并对围绕锌离子稳态研发的新兴治疗策略进行归纳分析。

Zinc ions are the most abundant trace elements in the human body,second only to iron.They function as critical second messengers in cells and are essential for maintaining the normal structure and function of proteins.Consequently,they are involved in a range of vital cellular processes,including cell cycle progression and division.The regulation of the intracellular zinc ion balance primarily depends on two major families of metal transporters:ZnT(SLC30 A)and ZIP(SLC39 A).In the context of cancer,the disruption of zinc ion homeostasis and the abnormal expression of zinc transporters are closely linked to tumorigenesis and cancer progression.However,varying findings among studies regarding the specific roles of zinc ions and zinc transporters in cancer present a significant challenge for the development and clinical application of therapies targeting zinc ion homeostasis.This paper provides a comprehensive review and analysis of the functions of zinc ions and zinc transporters in cancer,along with an overview of emerging therapeutic strategies targeting zinc ion homeostasis.