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Zinc Deficiency and Epigenetics

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Handbook of Famine, Starvation, and Nutrient Deprivation

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient element. This element in relation with the structure and function of many proteins and enzymes is important for a variety of biological activities, including epigenetic regulations. Zinc deficiency is common in many parts of the world and particularly in poor populations. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that several key enzymes and zinc finger proteins with zinc atom(s) in the reactive center and binding site play important roles in DNA methylation and histone modifications. Therefore, zinc deficiency may disrupt the functions of these enzymes and proteins and result in epigenetic dysregulation. Furthermore, zinc deficiency may enhance inflammatory response and subsequently alter DNA methylation status of the genes involved in inflammation. In this chapter, we first describe zinc dietary sources and deficiency, and then discuss direct and indirect effects of zinc deficiency in DNA and chromatin methylation alteration. Finally, we prospect a new zinc biomarker and further investigation on the effects of zinc deficiency in epigenetics.

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Abbreviations

AI:

adequate intake

BHMT:

betaine homocysteine methyltransferase

DGLA:

dihomo-γ-linolenic acid

dTMP:

thymidylate monophosphate

DV:

daily value of foods

FAO:

food and agriculture organization

IL:

interleukin

LA:

linoleic acid

MTR:

methionine synthase

RDA:

recommended dietary allowance

RNI:

recommended nutrient intake

SAMe:

S-adenosyl methionine

SLC:

solute-linked carrier

WHO:

World Health Organization

ZFP:

zinc finger protein

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, 14152, Sweden

    Harvest F. Gu

  2. Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, 17176, Sweden

    Harvest F. Gu & Xiuli Zhang

  3. Benxi Center Hospital, China Medical University, Liaoning, 117000, China

    Xiuli Zhang

Authors
  1. Harvest F. Gu
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  2. Xiuli Zhang
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Correspondence to Harvest F. Gu .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Diabetes & Nutritional Sci Div Sch, King's College London, London, United Kingdom

    Victor Preedy

  2. Clinical Biochemistry, University of Westminster, Westminster, United Kingdom

    Vinood B. Patel

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Gu, H.F., Zhang, X. (2017). Zinc Deficiency and Epigenetics. In: Preedy, V., Patel, V. (eds) Handbook of Famine, Starvation, and Nutrient Deprivation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40007-5_80-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40007-5_80-1

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