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Zinc is an essential trace element that plays a vital role in many biological processes including growth and development, immunity, and metabolism. Recent studies have highlighted zinc’s dynamic role as a "cellular second messenger" in the control of insulin signaling and glucose homeostasis. Accordingly, mechanisms that contribute to dysfunctional zinc signaling are suggested to be associated with metabolic disease states including cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes. The actions of the proteins that control the uptake, storage, and distribution of zinc, the zinc transporters, are under intense investigation due to their emerging role in type 2 diabetes. The synthesis, secretion, and action of insulin are dependent on zinc and the transporters that make this ion available to cellular processes. This suggests that zinc plays a previously unidentified role where changes in zinc status over time may affect 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.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	zinc and diabetes
Research Division:	Biological Sciences
Research Group:	Biochemistry and cell biology
Research Field:	Cell metabolism
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Clinical health
Objective Field:	Clinical health not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Myers, SA (Dr Stephen Myers)
ID Code:	101172
Year Published:	2015
Web of Science® Times Cited:	34
Deposited By:	Health Sciences
Deposited On:	2015-06-11
Last Modified:	2017-11-07
Downloads:	389 View Download Statistics