Current understanding of ZIP and ZnT zinc transporters in human health and diseases

Zinc transporters, the Zrt-, Irt-like protein (ZIP) family and the Zn transporter (ZnT) family transporters, are found in all aspects of life. Increasing evidence has clarified the molecular mechanism, in which both transporters play critical roles in cellular and physiological functions via mobilizing zinc across the cellular membrane. In the last decade, mutations in ZIP and ZnT transporter genes have been shown to be implicated in a number of inherited human diseases. Moreover, dysregulation of expression and activity of both transporters has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of chronic diseases including cancer, immunological impairment, and neurodegenerative diseases, although comprehensive understanding is far from complete. The diverse phenotypes of diseases related to ZIP and ZnT transporters reflect the multifarious biological functions of both transporters. The present review summarizes the current understanding of ZIP and ZnT transporter functions from the standpoint of human health and diseases. The study of zinc transporters is currently of great clinical interest.     

Effect of prostaglandin F2α on the secretion of pancreatic juice induced by secretin and by dopamine

Zusammenfassung Die Wirksamkeit von Prostaglandin F₂ (PGF₂) auf die exokrine Pankreassekretion wurde an einem mit Blut perfundiereten Pankreas-Präparat des Hundes untersucht. PGF₂ (100 g) hemmte die durch Sekretin stimuliete, aber nicht die durch Dopamin stimulierte Sekretion.     

Increased proliferation of B cells and auto-immunity in mice lacking protein kinase Cdelta

Protein kinase C (PKC), which comprises 11 closely related isoforms, has been implicated in a wide variety of cellular processes, such as growth, differentiation, secretion, apoptosis and tumour development. Among the PKC isotypes, PKC-delta is unique in that its overexpression results in inhibition of cell growth. Here we show that mice that lack PKC-delta exhibit expansion of the B-lymphocyte population with the formation of numerous germinal centres in the absence of stimulation. The rate of proliferation in response to stimulation was greater for B cells from PKC-delta-deficient mice than for those from wild-type mice. Adoptive transfer experiments suggested that the hyperproliferation phenotype is B-cell autonomous. Production of interleukin-6 was markedly increased in B cells of PKC-delta-null mice as a result of an increase in the DNA-binding activity of NF-IL6. Furthermore, the PKC-delta-deficient mice contain circulating autoreactive antibodies and display immune-complex-type glomerulonephritis, as well as lymphocyte infiltration in many organs. These results suggest that PKC-delta has an indispensable function in negative regulation of B-cell proliferation, and is particularly important for the establishment of B-cell tolerance.     

The effect of glycine on serum luteinizing hormone in adult female rats

The response of serum luteinizing hormone to glycine has been studied during the estrous cycle in adult female rats. I.p. administration of 200 mg of glycine significantly elevated serum luteinizing hormone levels at all stages of the estrous cycle.     

Long-term depressor effects of noradrenaline and dopamine neurons transplanted into the third ventricle of the brain of salt-loaded hypertensive rats

Neural tissues including A 6 group noradrenaline neurons in the locus ceruleus or A 10 group dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra were transplanted into the third ventricle at the preoptic-anterior hypothalamic level of rats made hypertensive by salt loading. Either transplant exerted a long-lasting depressor effect.     

Calcitonin gene related peptide stimulates adenylate cyclase activity in rat striated muscle

Summary Rat calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) and salmon calcitonin (CT) stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in a dose-dependent manner in the rat diaphragm and in the kidney. The ED₅₀ value of rat CGRP was lower and that of salmon CT was higher in the diaphragm than in the kidney. These results suggest that CGRP stimulates adenylate cyclase activity in the striated muscle by reacting with sites distinct from the site in the kidney.     

3-Amino-3-deoxy-D-glucose: an antibiotic produced by a deep-sea bacterium

Gram-positive bacteria isolated from deep-sea sediments of the Pacific basin showed considerable antibacterial activity. A Bacillus strain, isolated from a sediment sample collected at a depth of 4310 m, was shown to produce 3-amino-3-deoxy-D-glucose, a known antibiotic.     

Okinonellins A and B,two novel furanosesterterpenes,which inhibit cell division of fertilized starfish eggs,from the marine spongeSpongionella sp

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences - Two novel furanosesterterpenes, okinonellins A (1) and B (2), have been isolated from the spongeSpongionella sp. Both compounds inhibit cell division of...