Zinc and Zinc Transporter Regulation in Pancreatic Islets and the Potential Role of Zinc in Islet Transplantation

Mariea D Bosco; Daisy M Mohanasundaram; Chris J Drogemuller; Carol J Lang; Carol J Lang; P Toby Coates

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Abstract

The Review of Diabetic Studies,2010,7,4,263-274.

DOI:10.1900/RDS.2010.7.263

Published:February 2011

Type:Review Article

Authors:

Author(s) affiliations:

Mariea D. Bosco¹, Daisy M. Mohanasundaram¹, Chris J. Drogemuller¹, Carol J. Lang^2,3, Peter D. Zalewski^2,3, and P. Toby Coates^1,2,4

¹Central Northern Adelaide Renal and Transplantation Service, Renal and Transplantation Immunology Lab, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia 5000.

²School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, South Australia.

³Chronic Inflammatory Disease Research Group, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, South Australia.

⁴Centre for Stem Cell Research, University of Adelaide, South Australia.

Abstract:

The critical trace element zinc is essential for normal insulin production, and plays a central role in cellular protection against apoptosis and oxidative stress. The regulation of zinc within the pancreas and β-cells is controlled by the zinc transporter families ZnT and ZIP. Pancreatic islets display wide variability in the occurrence of these molecules. The zinc transporter, ZnT8 is an important target for autoimmunity in type 1 diabetes. Gene polymorphisms of this transporter confer sensitivity for immunosuppressive drugs used in islet transplantation. Understanding the biology of zinc transport within pancreatic islets will provide insight into the mechanisms of β-cell death, and may well reveal new pathways for improvement of diabetes therapy, including islet transplantation. This review discusses the possible roles of zinc in β-cell physiology with a special focus on islet transplantation.

Keywords:Apoptosis, Beta-cell, Insulin secretion, Oxidative stress, Pancreatic islet, Transplantation, Type 1 diabetes, Zinc transporter, ZIP, ZnT