Is zinc a neuromodulator?

Alan R Kay; Katalin Tóth

doi:10.1126/stke.119re3

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Journal article

Peer reviewed

Is zinc a neuromodulator?

Alan R Kay and Katalin Tóth

Science signaling, Vol.1(19), pp.re3-re3

05/13/2008

DOI: 10.1126/stke.119re3

PMCID: PMC2730821

PMID: 18480018

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/2730821View

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Abstract

The vesicles of certain glutamatergic terminals in the mammalian forebrain are replete with ionic zinc. It is believed that during synaptic transmission zinc is released, binds to receptors on the pre- or postsynaptic membranes, and hence acts as a neuromodulator. Although exogenous zinc modulates a wide variety of channels, whether synaptic zinc transits across the synaptic cleft and alters the response of channels has been difficult to establish. We will review the evidence for zinc as a neuromodulator and propose diagnostic criteria for establishing whether it is indeed one. Moreover, we will delineate alternative ways in which zinc might act at synapses.

Neurotransmitter Agents

Animals

Zinc - physiology

Zinc - metabolism

Humans

Synapses - chemistry

Synaptic Transmission

Details

Title: Subtitle: Is zinc a neuromodulator?
Creators: Alan R Kay - Department of Biology, 336 BB, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. alan-kay@uiowa.edu
Katalin Tóth
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Science signaling, Vol.1(19), pp.re3-re3
DOI: 10.1126/stke.119re3
PMID: 18480018
PMCID: PMC2730821
NLM abbreviation: Sci Signal
ISSN: 1945-0877
eISSN: 1937-9145
Publisher: United States
Grant note: R01 NS047508-04 / NINDS NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 05/13/2008
Academic Unit: Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Biology
Record Identifier: 9983992063402771

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