zinc
Zinc discovery may shed light on Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s
By
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Chemistry 100
October 17, 2013
Zinc discovery may shed light on Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s
Heading Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison may have discovered a link between zinc deficiency and protein clumping, in an experiment using a yeast solution, suggesting that it may be potential factors for disease like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, if duplicated in humans.
Questions or Relationship Shape is vital to proteins. When the correct shape is formed and present, cells behave as they indispensable should. When proteins lose their shape, they clump together. Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s share these clumping characteristics. The researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have recognized another factor that diminishes protein stability and causes clumping: a lack of zinc. This metal is an essential nutrient.
Method Scientist studied the scheme in the single-celled fungus, yeast, because it is able to adjust to both deficiencies and overabundances of zinc.
Results The issue being for the cell to find enough zinc to grow and support all its functions, however not an over-abundance that it kills the cell. Cells that are short on zinc similarly yield proteins that respond to developing stress, including one called Tsa1. Tsa1 acts like a chaperone for proteins and helps prevent the clumping of proteins in zinc deficient cells. However, as discovered, zinc is more important than Tsa1. By holding the proteins in a solution, Tsa1 prevents damage that can otherwise lead to cell death.
Results There are distinct resemblances between yeast and human cells. Moreover, zinc is needed by every organism, everywhere. Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are associated with clumped proteins located in the brain. If the same effect of zinc can be seen in human studies, it may be that there is a relationship between the contributing
By
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Chemistry 100
October 17, 2013
Zinc discovery may shed light on Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s
Heading Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison may have discovered a link between zinc deficiency and protein clumping, in an experiment using a yeast solution, suggesting that it may be potential factors for disease like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, if duplicated in humans.
Questions or Relationship Shape is vital to proteins. When the correct shape is formed and present, cells behave as they indispensable should. When proteins lose their shape, they clump together. Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s share these clumping characteristics. The researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have recognized another factor that diminishes protein stability and causes clumping: a lack of zinc. This metal is an essential nutrient.
Method Scientist studied the scheme in the single-celled fungus, yeast, because it is able to adjust to both deficiencies and overabundances of zinc.
Results The issue being for the cell to find enough zinc to grow and support all its functions, however not an over-abundance that it kills the cell. Cells that are short on zinc similarly yield proteins that respond to developing stress, including one called Tsa1. Tsa1 acts like a chaperone for proteins and helps prevent the clumping of proteins in zinc deficient cells. However, as discovered, zinc is more important than Tsa1. By holding the proteins in a solution, Tsa1 prevents damage that can otherwise lead to cell death.
Results There are distinct resemblances between yeast and human cells. Moreover, zinc is needed by every organism, everywhere. Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are associated with clumped proteins located in the brain. If the same effect of zinc can be seen in human studies, it may be that there is a relationship between the contributing