Zinc metabolism at the cellular level is critical for many biological processes in the body.A key observation is the disruption of cellular homeostasis,often coinciding with disease progression.As an essential factor ...Zinc metabolism at the cellular level is critical for many biological processes in the body.A key observation is the disruption of cellular homeostasis,often coinciding with disease progression.As an essential factor in maintaining cellular equilibrium,cellular zinc has been increasingly spotlighted in the context of disease development.Extensive research suggests zinc’s involvement in promoting malignancy and invasion in cancer cells,despite its low tissue concentration.This has led to a growing body of literature investigating zinc’s cellular metabolism,particularly the functions of zinc transporters and storage mechanisms during cancer progression.Zinc transportation is under the control of two major transporter families:SLC30(ZnT)for the excretion of zinc and SLC39(ZIP)for the zinc intake.Additionally,the storage of this essential element is predominantly mediated by metallothioneins(MTs).This review consolidates knowledge on the critical functions of cellular zinc signaling and underscores potential molecular pathways linking zinc metabolism to disease progression,with a special focus on cancer.We also compile a summary of clinical trials involving zinc ions.Given the main localization of zinc transporters at the cell membrane,the potential for targeted therapies,including small molecules and monoclonal antibodies,offers promising avenues for future exploration.展开更多
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)(2022,No.82272990)Health and Medical Research Fund(HMRF,08190586)+1 种基金CUHK direct grant(2022.001 and 2020.004)Cheng Yue Pui Charity Foundation.
文摘Zinc metabolism at the cellular level is critical for many biological processes in the body.A key observation is the disruption of cellular homeostasis,often coinciding with disease progression.As an essential factor in maintaining cellular equilibrium,cellular zinc has been increasingly spotlighted in the context of disease development.Extensive research suggests zinc’s involvement in promoting malignancy and invasion in cancer cells,despite its low tissue concentration.This has led to a growing body of literature investigating zinc’s cellular metabolism,particularly the functions of zinc transporters and storage mechanisms during cancer progression.Zinc transportation is under the control of two major transporter families:SLC30(ZnT)for the excretion of zinc and SLC39(ZIP)for the zinc intake.Additionally,the storage of this essential element is predominantly mediated by metallothioneins(MTs).This review consolidates knowledge on the critical functions of cellular zinc signaling and underscores potential molecular pathways linking zinc metabolism to disease progression,with a special focus on cancer.We also compile a summary of clinical trials involving zinc ions.Given the main localization of zinc transporters at the cell membrane,the potential for targeted therapies,including small molecules and monoclonal antibodies,offers promising avenues for future exploration.
