Zinc: A Miracle Element. Its Discovery and Impact on Human Health

AMP: Deaminase Adenosine Monophosphate Deaminase; ATP 7B: Membrane-Bound Copper-Binding Adenosine Triphosphatase; cGMP: Guanosine 3’, 5’ Cyclic Monophosphate; DC: Dendritic Cells; DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid; dTMP: Deoxythymidine 5’ Mono-Phosphate; HL-60: Human promyelocytic Leukemia cell line; HUT-78: Human malignant lymphoblastoid cell line of Th0 phenotype; ICAM-1: Soluble Intercellar Adhesion Molecule-1; IFN-γ: Interferon-γ; IL: Interleukin; IGF-1: Insulin-like Growth Factor 1; IL-1β: Interleukin-1β; IL-2: Interleukin 2; IL-12 Rβ2: IL12 receptor β2; MAPK: Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase; MEK: MAP/ERK Kinase; mRNA: Messenger RNA; MT: Metallothionein; Myd 88: TL-4 binding adapter-like (MAL) protein; NF-κB: Nuclear Factor kappa B (a zinc-dependent transcription factor); PDE: Phosphodiesterase; Raf-1: a serin/threonine (S/T) kinase; RDA: Recommended Dietary Allowances; RNA: Ribonucleic Acid; ROS: Reactive Oxygen Species; SCD: Sickle Cell Disease; SOD: Superoxide Dismutase; STAT-4: Transcription Factor; sICAM-1: Soluble Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; T-bet: Transcription Factor Involved In T Cell Differentiation; T-cell: Thymic Dependent Cell; TCR: T Cell Receptor; Th1: T Helper One; TK: deoxythymidine Kinase; TLR 4: Toll Like Receptor 4; TNF-α: Tumor Necrosis Factor-α; TPN: Total Parenteral Nutrition; TRAF: TNF-Receptor Associated Factor; TRIF: Domain Containing Adapter – Inducing Interferon-β; TTP: Thymidine Triphosphate; US NAS/NRC: United State National Academy of Sciences/ National Research Council; WHO: World Health Organization; ZIP-4: SLC 39 a Solute Carrier; ZIP: SLC 39 a Solute Carrier