A recent study done by University of Wisconsin-Madison may link a shortage of Zinc to play a role in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Alzheimer's and Parkinson's have been linked to defective proteins clumping in the brain. Correct shape is a must for proteins. But shape can also be destroyed by high temperatures, which then make the proteins defective. When there are many defective proteins in one area they will all just clump together, and these clumps of defective proteins are key signs of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. This is how Zinc can help. Zinc ions help create and hold proteins in the correct shape.
How the scientists discovered this was with yeast. In a yeast cell if it is deficient of Zinc it will create a gene called Tsa1 which help counter the stress on the cell caused by the lack of Zinc. But if the yeast cell is deficient in both Zinc and Tsa1 then the proteins clump together which can be toxic by themselves or become toxic because the proteins are not doing what they are supposed to. Either way ending up in killing the yeast cell.
To read about the study in further detail click here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130930200039.htm
Submitted by: Carrie Bookheimer
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