Distinct pathways for zinc metabolism in the terrestrial slug Arion vulgaris.

ABSTRACT: In most organisms, the concentration of free Zn²⁺ is controlled by metallothioneins (MTs). In contrast, no significant proportions of Zn²⁺ are bound to MTs in the slug, Arion vulgaris. Instead, this species possesses cytoplasmic low-molecular-weight Zn²⁺ (LMW Zn) binding compound that divert these metal ions into pathways uncoupled from MT metabolism. Zn²⁺ is accumulated in the midgut gland calcium cells of Arion vulgaris, where they associate with a low-molecular-weight ligand with an apparent molecular mass of ~ 2,000 Da. Mass spectrometry of the semi-purified LMW Zn binding compound combining an electrospray ion source with a differential mobility analyser coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer revealed the presence of four Zn²⁺

SUBMITTER: Dvorak M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6934671 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature