What role zinc play in cell signaling?9 answersZinc plays a multifaceted role in cell signaling, acting as a critical mediator in various physiological and biochemical processes across different cell types. As an essential trace element, zinc stabilizes protein structures and modulates enzymes, ion channels, and neurotransmitter receptors, highlighting its importance in intracellular and intercellular signaling, particularly within the central nervous system. Beyond its structural role, zinc functions similarly to calcium by acting as an ionic regulator of immune responses, participating as an intracellular messenger in signaling pathways downstream of Toll-like receptors, T cell receptors, and cytokine-mediated signal transduction. This regulatory capacity extends to the digestive system, skin health, and cognitive functions, where zinc influences cell proliferation and death through the ZnR/GPR39 receptor, mediating extracellular zinc concentration changes into cellular Ca2+ signaling.
Zinc's dynamic fluctuations within cells are crucial for healthy cell signaling, impacting kinase signaling pathways and correlating with ERK and Akt activity without inducing stress-dependent kinase signaling. In the context of metabolic health, zinc plays a role in decreasing insulin resistance and fatty liver by modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and immune system responses. It also acts directly on several signaling molecules and transcription factors, converting extracellular stimuli into intracellular signals, and is essential for immune reactions, with its homeostasis and signaling impacting inflammatory and allergic responses.
Moreover, zinc signaling operates alongside calcium signaling, extending metal ion signaling to lower concentrations and involving a complex regulatory system for cellular zinc metabolism. In neurons, zinc not only serves as a neurotransmitter but also as a ubiquitous second messenger, influencing neurotransmitter receptor function and activating signaling cascades related to cell survival and death. Collectively, these roles underscore zinc's indispensable function in cell signaling, affecting a wide range of physiological and pathological processes.
Do ZMYND11 mutants have chromosomal segregation defects?9 answersZMYND11 mutants have been implicated in a variety of chromosomal and genetic disorders, suggesting a role in chromosomal segregation and stability. Research by McGrew et al. identified trans-acting chromosome nondisjunction mutants in yeast, highlighting the importance of genetic factors in maintaining chromosome segregation during mitosis, although ZMYND11 was not directly studied in this context, the methodology underscores the significance of genetic stability mechanisms. Oates et al. expanded on the phenotype of ZMYND11 variants to include epilepsy, autism, and intellectual disability, indicating that mutations in ZMYND11 can lead to widespread neurodevelopmental disorders, which could be indirectly related to its role in chromosomal segregation. Tumiene et al. further confirmed ZMYND11's critical role in epigenetic regulation and its association with neurodevelopmental disorders, suggesting that its dysfunction could contribute to chromosomal instability. Moskowitz et al. reported a novel de novo variant in ZMYND11 associated with a complex neurodevelopmental phenotype, supporting the gene's involvement in chromosomal stability through its impact on neurodevelopment. Zariwala et al. identified mutations in ZMYND10, a gene related to ZMYND11, in primary ciliary dyskinesia, a disorder characterized by defects in motile cilia, indicating a broader spectrum of genetic stability and segregation issues related to the ZMYND family. Chan et al. discussed the role of ZMM proteins in promoting accurate chromosome segregation, providing a backdrop for understanding how mutations in genes like ZMYND11 could disrupt this process. Wen et al. described ZMYND11's role in recognizing specific histone modifications and regulating transcription elongation, a process crucial for maintaining genetic stability and proper chromosomal segregation. Devoucoux et al. explored the consequences of a ZMYND11 fusion protein in altering gene transcription and chromatin acetylation, which could indirectly affect chromosomal segregation. Moore et al. demonstrated that ZMYND10, closely related to ZMYND11, is essential for dynein arm assembly in cilia, a process fundamental to cell division and chromosomal segregation. Lastly, Bjorge et al. focused on the importance of accurate chromosome segregation in yeast, emphasizing the broader relevance of genes like ZMYND11 in maintaining chromosomal integrity. Collectively, these studies suggest that while direct evidence of ZMYND11 mutants causing chromosomal segregation defects is limited, the gene's involvement in processes crucial for chromosomal stability and segregation is evident.
How does Histone Modifications in prokaryotes and eukaryotes?3 answersHistone modifications play a crucial role in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In eukaryotes, DNA is condensed into chromatin, and posttranslational modifications of nucleosomes regulate accessibility to the DNA sequence. These modifications are deposited and removed by specific machineries and are distributed throughout the genome. They are involved in key cellular processes such as transcriptional regulation and DNA repair. In prokaryotes, recent studies have shown the presence of alternative histones with different DNA binding properties, as well as highly divergent sequences. These new histones, identified in metagenomes, have been categorized into distinct groups based on in-silico protein structure predictions. Some prokaryotic histones bridge DNA instead of wrapping it, diverging from conventional nucleosomal histones. Overall, histone modifications in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes contribute to the regulation of gene expression and chromatin-based processes.
Do epigenetic changes move histones?4 answers
Is histone modification bad?3 answers
Is histone modification random?3 answers