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Zinc Transporters, Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Utility: Implications for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Version 2 2025-01-15, 00:55
Version 1 2023-05-22, 23:45
journal contribution
posted on 2025-01-15, 00:55 authored by Stephen MyersStephen Myers, A Nield, M Myers
Zinc is an essential trace element that plays a vital role in maintaining many biological processes and cellular homeostasis. Dysfunctional zinc signaling is associated with a number of chronic disease states including cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes. Cellular homeostasis requires mechanisms that tightly control the uptake, storage, and distribution of zinc. This is achieved through the coordinated actions of zinc transporters and metallothioneins. Evidence on the role of these proteins in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is now emerging. Zinc plays a key role in the synthesis, secretion and action of insulin in both physiological and pathophysiological states. Moreover, recent studies highlight zinc’s dynamic role as a “cellular second messenger” in the control of insulin signaling and glucose homeostasis. This suggests that zinc plays an unidentified role as a novel second messenger that augments insulin activity. This previously unexplored concept would raise a whole new area of research into the pathophysiology of insulin resistance and introduce a new class of drug target with utility for diabetes pharmacotherapy

History

Publication title

International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism

Volume

2012

Issue

1

Pagination

1-13

ISSN

1526-484X

Department/School

Nursing

Publisher

Human Kinetics, Inc.

Publication status

  • Published

Place of publication

United States

Socio-economic Objectives

200199 Clinical health not elsewhere classified

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    University Of Tasmania

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