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Zinc inhibition of calmodulin: A proposed molecular mechanism of zinc action on cellular functions
Author(s) -
Brewer George J.,
Aster Jon C.,
Knutsen Conrad A.,
Kruckeberg Walter C.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
american journal of hematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.456
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1096-8652
pISSN - 0361-8609
DOI - 10.1002/ajh.2830070107
Subject(s) - calmodulin , zinc , calcium , mechanism of action , biochemistry , antagonism , chemistry , function (biology) , mechanism (biology) , microbiology and biotechnology , calcium binding protein , zinc finger , biology , biophysics , receptor , in vitro , gene , philosophy , organic chemistry , epistemology , transcription factor
Abstract Calcium stimulates, and zinc inhibits, a wide variety of cell types. In the erythrocyte, we have found calcium and zinc to have antagonistic actions in a variety of systems. An important mechanism for calcium effects on cells is activation of calmodulin. Calmodulin is a small ubiquitous protein which, when activated by calcium, has a large array of cellular regulatory functions. We now report that calmodulin function is inhibited by low concentrations of zinc. Zinc inhibition of calmodulin provides a rational molecular mechanism for the diverse cellular inhibitory effects of zinc, as well as for zinc's antagonism of calcium effects.