Zinc

Zinc

Zinc and manganese have overlapping functions in the body. For example, both minerals are involved in protein synthesis, wound healing, and immune system function. They can work together to enhance their respective functions. For example, zinc can enhance the absorption of manganese, while manganese can help regulate zinc levels in the body. While zinc and manganese are essential, excessive intake of one can interfere with the absorption or function of the other. For example, high levels of zinc can inhibit manganese absorption, while excessive manganese intake can lead to zinc deficiency.

Zinc is involved in many critical human enzymes and a deficiency in it can be devastating to the proper function of our biology.

Metabolic Enzymes

Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH): Involved in ethanol metabolism.

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ALDH): Converts aldehydes to acids.

Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH): Converts lactate to pyruvate.

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase: Catalyzes a step in gluconeogenesis.

Carbonic Anhydrase: Converts CO2 and water to bicarbonate and protons.

Pyruvate Carboxylase: Catalyzes the conversion of pyruvate to oxaloacetate.

Urease: Hydrolyzes urea to ammonia and carbon dioxide.

Digestive Enzymes

Carboxypeptidase A and B: Hydrolyze the C-terminal peptide bond in proteins.

Aminopeptidase: Removes N-terminal amino acids from peptides.

Alkaline Phosphatase: Hydrolyzes phosphate groups from various molecules.

DNA/RNA Metabolism Enzymes

DNA Polymerase: Synthesizes DNA molecules.

RNA Polymerase: Synthesizes RNA from a DNA template.

Thymidine Kinase: Involved in nucleotide salvage pathways.

Proteolytic Enzymes

Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs): Degrade extracellular matrix proteins.

Caspases: Involved in apoptosis.

Oxidative Stress Enzymes

Superoxide Dismutase (SOD1): Converts superoxide radicals to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide.

Regulatory Enzymes

Protein Kinase C (PKC): Involved in signal transduction.

Histone Deacetylases (HDACs): Modify histone proteins to regulate gene expression.

Poly ADP Ribose Polymerase (PARP): Involved in DNA repair processes.

Heme Synthesis Enzymes

Delta-Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase (ALAD): Involved in heme synthesis.

Enzymes Involved in Gene Expression

Zinc Finger Proteins: Regulate DNA transcription.

Nuclear Factor-κB (NF-κB) Activator Proteins: Regulate immune response.

Other Important Enzymes

Insulin-Degrading Enzyme (IDE): Degrades insulin and regulates its levels.

Methionine Aminopeptidase: Removes the N-terminal methionine from proteins.

Metallothionein: Regulates metal ion metabolism and detoxification for heavy metals like mercury.

Specific Zinc-Dependent Enzymes in Various Pathways

Aspartate Transcarbamoylase: Involved in pyrimidine biosynthesis.

Glyoxalase I: Detoxifies methylglyoxal in the glyoxalase system.

Peptidylglycine Alpha-Amidating Monooxygenase (PAM): Converts peptidylglycine to peptidylamide.

Enzymes in Amino Acid Metabolism

Histidine Ammonia-Lyase (Histidase): Converts histidine to urocanate.

Ornithine Transcarbamylase: Involved in the urea cycle.

Enzymes in Lipid Metabolism

Leukotriene A4 Hydrolase: Converts leukotriene A4 to leukotriene B4.

Enzymes in Neurotransmitter Metabolism

Tyrosine Hydroxylase: Converts tyrosine to L-DOPA, a precursor of dopamine.