Zinc is an important component of superoxide dismutase (SOD). The free radical Superoxide is made of two paired oxygen atoms with an extra electron. Superoxide dismutase is an important antioxidant enzyme that converts superoxide free radicals into oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is less dangerous as a free radical and can be further degraded into water and oxygen.
There are three types of superoxide dismutase. Two types of superoxide dismutase use zinc for structural stability and copper for catalytic activity. The third type of superoxide dismutase is found in the mitochondria and has manganese as its center. In addition, cell membranes need zinc for antioxidant protection and for structuralintegrity.
Zinc Assists Cell Signaling
Zinc finger proteins can bind to DNA to influence which genes are expressed. Zinc influences hormone release and nerve impulse transmission by assisting cell signaling.
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