ABSTRACT
The biological role of zinc is invariably associated with protein synthesis and metabolism. Zinc is also a structural and catalytically active component of the enzymes involved in nucleoprotein synthesis. Whereas a functional deficiency in protein synthesis caused by zinc deficiency has not been demonstrated, a failure to adequately synthesize nucleoproteins and to complete the processes of cell replication is a recognized effect of zinc deficiency. Hence, zinc deficiency more significantly affects cell division, which is a function of nucleoprotein synthesis than cell growth and enlargement, which is a function of protein synthesis. Chesters has reviewed the relationship between zinc and cell replication. He has pointed out that DNA synthesis is more sensitive to the effects of zinc deficiency than RNA synthesis and has proposed that cell replication is more susceptible to the effects of zinc depletion than cell growth.
