Navigation Links
Zinc plays important role in brain circuitry

he mutant animals' brain and spinal neurons showed significant zinc-related abnormalities in transmission of signals at the connections, called synapses, among neurons.

Betz and his colleagues wrote that "The data presented in our paper disclose a pivotal role of ambient synaptic [zinc ion] for glycinergic neurotransmission in the context of normal animal behavior." They also concluded that their results implied that manipulating synaptic zinc levels could affect the neuronal action of zinc, but that such manipulation "highlights the complexity of potential therapeutic interventions," which could cause an imbalance between the excitatory and inhibitory circuitry in the central nervous system.

In a preview of the paper in the same issue of Neuron, Alan R. Kay, Jacques Neyton, and Pierre Paoletti wrote "Undoubtedly this work is important, since it directly demonstrates that zinc acts as an endogenous modulator of synaptic transmission." They wrote that the findings "will certainly revive the flagging hopes of zincologists. This work provides a clear demonstration that interfering with zinc modulation of a synaptic pathway leads to a significant alteration in the phenotype of the animal." The three scientists added that the finding "puts a nice dent in the zinc armor, which held firm for more than 50 years."
'"/>

Source:Cell Press


Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. White blood cell waste disposal system plays critical regulatory role
2. Micro-molecule plays big role in birth defects
3. Sleeping beauty plays a significant role in identifying cancer genes
4. Neural stem cell gene plays crucial role in eye development
5. Got inexpensive contrast agent? Milk plays new role in imaging
6. Fish species plays surprise role in aiding coral reef recovery
7. Anticipation plays a powerful role in human memory, brain study finds
8. Motor protein plays key role in connecting neurons
9. Confirmed -- deforestation plays critical climate change role
10. Nature provides inspiration for important new adhesive
11. Newly discovered protein an important tool for sleeping sickness research
Post Your Comments:
Breaking Biology Technology:Lyric Presents the Sounds of the Season 2AEterna Zentaris Partner, Keryx, Reports Updated Phase 1/2 Data, Including New Survival Data, on Perifosine (KRX-0401) in the Treatment of Advanced Multiple Myeloma at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology 2AEterna Zentaris Partner, Keryx, Reports Updated Phase 1/2 Data, Including New Survival Data, on Perifosine (KRX-0401) in the Treatment of Advanced Multiple Myeloma at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology 3AEterna Zentaris Partner, Keryx, Reports Updated Phase 1/2 Data, Including New Survival Data, on Perifosine (KRX-0401) in the Treatment of Advanced Multiple Myeloma at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology 4AEterna Zentaris Partner, Keryx, Reports Updated Phase 1/2 Data, Including New Survival Data, on Perifosine (KRX-0401) in the Treatment of Advanced Multiple Myeloma at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology 5AEterna Zentaris Partner, Keryx, Reports Updated Phase 1/2 Data, Including New Survival Data, on Perifosine (KRX-0401) in the Treatment of Advanced Multiple Myeloma at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology 6Publication in Neuropsychopharmacology Confirms CeNeRx's Novel RIMA Antidepressant TriRima(TM) Selectively and Reversibly Inhibits MAO-A 2Publication in Neuropsychopharmacology Confirms CeNeRx's Novel RIMA Antidepressant TriRima(TM) Selectively and Reversibly Inhibits MAO-A 3Publication in Neuropsychopharmacology Confirms CeNeRx's Novel RIMA Antidepressant TriRima(TM) Selectively and Reversibly Inhibits MAO-A 4