Role of Zinc Signaling in the Regulation of Mast Cell-, Basophil-, and T Cell-Mediated Allergic Responses

Figure 3

Zn functions as an ionic signaling molecule after T cell activation. Cytoplasmic zinc concentrations increased within 1 min after TCR triggering as the result of an influx via the zinc transporter Zip6. The increase was most pronounced in the immediate subsynaptic area and enhanced TCR signaling, at least in part as a result of the inhibition of SHP-1 recruitment. TCR: T cell receptor; Zn: zinc; SHP-1: Src homology region 2 (SH2) domain-containing phosphatase-1.