Zinc, Copper and Manganese Flashcards
What are Zn, Cu and Mn considered to be?
Usually defined as ‘transition elements’ or metalloenzymes
* (d or f sub-shells of their oxidation states can ‘transfer’ between different states).
* Zinc, technically not transition element, but has the same properties; complexes in which the metal is the central atom- called a Lewis acid or Metal-ligand or ‘metalloenzyme’
Chemical basis for Metalloenzyme complex
metal ion + ligand = metal ion complex
Properties of Metalloenzymes
Metalloenzyme properties are synonymous with Zinc due to over 200-zinc-containg metaloenzymes (20 distinct biological functions)
* Copper and Manganese have important metalloenzyme properties as well
biological roles of metalloenzymes
Four general biological roles of metalloenzymes
* signaling
* structural
* catalytic
* regulatory
prevalance of Zn
one of the most common ions within the cell (except K+ and Mg2+) and Zn2+ is found in every compartment and organelle in the cell (makes it available for metalloenzyme reactions and functions).
* over 200-zinc-containg metaloenzymes (20 distinct biological functions)
Properties of Zn
- A very strong Lewis acid
- Can only function in one valence state (2+) so limits the types of reactions it can be in
Which metalloenzyme is the strongest lewis acid?
Copper
* but not as abundant in the cell as Zn
What are the valence state of Cu and Mn?
Manganese and copper can function in different valence states for redox reactions; Cu1+, Cu2+, Mn2+, Mn3+
* They have more electrons and can be involved in more redox reactions
Physiological roles of Zn
- cytosolic and extracellular Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)
- Zinc-Finger Proteins and transcription factors
What is SOD
superoxide dismutase which catalyze the reaction to remove superoxides.
* Takes the oxide and makes hydrogen peroxide which is still bad but oxide is worse
How does SOD work
Transition metals can cycle through valence states to accept and donate electrons in reduction/oxidation steps.
Different forms of SOD
- Cu/Zn-SOD: intracellular (cytosol) and extracellular fluids
- Mn-SOD: primarily associated with the mitochondria.
What can reduce SOD activity and what happens?
Reduced SOD activity can occur when Cu/Zn and/or Mn is deficient
* increased lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, reduced energy regulation in mitochondriacan
* affect glucose utilization/insulin balance, etc
What does oxidative stress cause?
It can break down cell tissue and cause DNA damage. This damage can also result in inflammation. These factors can lead to lifelong diseases like diabetes or cancer, in some cases.
Zn role in SOD
Zn2+ serves a structural role in cytosolic and extracellular SOD
* Zinc is important in the folding of the protein
* SOD also requires a redox reaction that utilizes either Cu or Mn
Describe the Zinc-Finger Proteins and transcription factors
During gene transcription there is folding pattern of a sequence of amino acids around Zinc to form a loop or finger that then permits the folded region to stabilize the DNA sequence which can then turn them off or on
* Zinc finger region or ‘motif’ is thought to require 4 amino acid residues.
* many instances of zinc fingers thought to be essential for certain genes; however, limited proof for there existence.
Immune properties of Zn
Zinc involved with the maintenance of B and T cells (lymphocytes)
* Reduced Zinc is associated with decreased thymulin hormone and in turn caused a reduction in the size of the thymus (thymus controls production of T lymphocytes).
Immune properties of Cu
- Copper is thought to help maintain neutrophils and granulocytes, may facilitate maturation process of early stem cells.
- May also regulate T cell proliferation possibly through IL-2 (cytokine) production (mechanism still unclear).
Physiologica roles of Cu
- Ceruloplasmin
- bone mineralization
- SOD
Cu in ceruloplasmin
ceruloplasmin is the protein involved in the transport of copper around the body
* Regulated and secreted by the liver in response to Cu concentrations and other hormones.
* 90% of plasma Cu is bound to Ceruloplasmin
* Ceruloplasmin is also thought be responsible for the oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+.
Ceruloplasmin role in iron metabolism
may assist in feroxidase function in mobilizing stores iron
Cu role in bone mineralization
providing the collagen matrix via lysyl oxidase (linkage enzyme which contains Cu).
* Lysyl oxidase can also affect elastin