Zinc stabilizes the structure of a number of proteins. Zinc helps certain proteins to fold by attaching to the amino acids cysteine and histidine, as seen in Figure 12-2.
Figure 12-2 Zinc can stabilize the structure of some proteins.
These folded proteins have a zinc finger-like structure that increases their structural stability. Proteins that use zinc finger-like structures include retinal (vitamin A) receptors in the eye and vitamin D receptors. Zinc finger-like structures are important for proteins that regulate hormones, such as testosterone. Zinc is also found in the proteins of viruses; one example is the human immunodeficiency virus.
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