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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Jill McKay, Professor Dianne Ford
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Two cases of zinc deficiency in breastfed neonates were investigated where zinc levels in the mothers' milk were reduced by more than 75 % compared to normal. The objective of this study was to find the molecular basis of the maternal zinc deficiency condition. Significant reductions in mRNA expression and protein levels of the zinc transporters SLC30A5 and SLC30A6 were found in maternal tissue, suggesting a causal link to the zinc-deficient milk. Novel splice variants of the SLC30A6 transcript were detected. No modifications were found in coding regions, or in transcription binding sites of promoter regions or in 50 and 30 untranslated regions of both transporters in lymphoblasts and fibroblasts isolated from both mothers. Altered DNA methylation in SLC30A5 at two CpG sites was detected and may account for the reduced levels of SLC30A5 mRNA and protein in lymphoblasts. Reduced SLC30A6 mRNA and protein levels in lymphoblasts may be secondary to reduced SLC30A5 expression, as they function as a heterodimer in zinc transport. In conclusion, two cases of zinc deficiency are linked to low levels of the SLC30A5 and SLC30A6 zinc transporters. These two zinc transporters have not been previously associated with zinc deficiency in milk.
Author(s): Kumar L, Michalczyk A, Mckay J, Ford D, Kambe T, Hudek L, Varigios G, Taylor PE, Ackland ML
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Genes and Nutrition
Year: 2015
Volume: 10
Issue: 5
Print publication date: 01/09/2015
Online publication date: 29/08/2015
Acceptance date: 14/08/2015
ISSN (print): 1555-8932
ISSN (electronic): 1865-3499
Publisher: Springer
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12263-015-0487-x
DOI: 10.1007/s12263-015-0487-x
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