Kiouri Despoina P, Chasapis Christos T, Mavromoustakos Thomas, Spiliopoulou Chara A, Stefanidou Maria E
Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635, Athens, Greece.
Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772, Athens, Greece.
Arch Toxicol. 2025 Jan;99(1):23-41. doi: 10.1007/s00204-024-03891-3. Epub 2024 Nov 7.
Zinc is an essential micronutrient that participates in a multitude of cellular and biochemical processes. It is indispensable for normal growth and the maintenance of physiological functions. As one of the most significant trace elements in the body, zinc fulfills three primary biological roles: catalytic, structural, and regulatory. It serves as a cofactor in over 300 enzymes, and more than 3000 proteins require zinc, underscoring its crucial role in numerous physiological processes such as cell division and growth, immune function, tissue maintenance, as well as synthesis protein and collagen synthesis. Zinc deficiency has been linked to increased oxidative stress and inflammation, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of a multitude of diseases, like neurological disorders and cancer. In addition, zinc is a key constituent of zinc-binding proteins, which play a pivotal role in maintaining cellular zinc homeostasis. This review aims to update and expand upon the understanding of zinc biology, highlighting the fundamental roles of zinc in biological processes and the health implications of zinc deficiency. This work also explores the diverse functions of zinc in immune regulation, cellular growth, and neurological health, emphasizing the need for further research to fully elucidate the therapeutic potential of zinc supplementation in disease prevention and management.
锌是一种必需的微量营养素，参与多种细胞和生化过程。它对于正常生长和生理功能的维持是不可或缺的。作为人体中最重要的微量元素之一，锌发挥着三种主要的生物学作用：催化、结构和调节。它作为300多种酶的辅助因子，超过3000种蛋白质需要锌，这凸显了其在众多生理过程中的关键作用，如细胞分裂和生长、免疫功能、组织维持以及蛋白质合成和胶原蛋白合成。锌缺乏与氧化应激和炎症增加有关，这可能导致多种疾病的发病机制，如神经疾病和癌症。此外，锌是锌结合蛋白的关键组成部分，锌结合蛋白在维持细胞锌稳态中起关键作用。本综述旨在更新和扩展对锌生物学的理解，强调锌在生物过程中的基本作用以及锌缺乏对健康的影响。这项工作还探讨了锌在免疫调节、细胞生长和神经健康方面的多种功能，强调需要进一步研究以充分阐明补充锌在疾病预防和管理中的治疗潜力。
