Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on the Expression of Zinc Transporter 1-4 Genes in the Male rat hippocampal cell line

Abstract

Introduction: Zinc plays an important role in the function of vital organs, especially the central nervous system. Zinc homeostasis disorder causes and progresses nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer, depression, learning disabilities and stress. Zinc homeostasis in the body is mediated by ZnT and ZIP proteins. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the expression of Znt1, Znt2, Znt3, and Znt4 genes in hippocampus cells as one of the tissues with high zinc density. Material and methods: First, the cell passage of the hippocampus cell line was performed, then the MTT assay test was performed for zinc oxide nanoparticles. In the next step, RNA extraction and CDNA synthesis were performed, and nanodrop spectrophotometer was used to ensure the purity of the RNA samples. Specific and appropriate primers of the desired genes were designed and synthesized. Then, changes in the expression of Znt1, Znt2, Znt3, and Znt4 genes were investigated using Real-Tim e RT-PCR. Results: Concentrations of 10 and 20 μg/mL of zinc oxide nanoparticles, significantly increased the expression of Znt1, Znt2, Znt3, and Znt4 genes in the hippocampus cell line of rat, while creating the lowest cytotoxicity. Conclusion: Zinc oxide nanoparticles can be investigated pharmacologically by increasing the expression of Znt1, Znt2, Znt3, and Znt4 genes in the treatment of zinc homeostasis disorders such as Alzheimer, depression, learning disabilities and stress.

Keywords

• gene expression
• hippocampus
• nanoparticles
• rats
• real-time rt-pcr
• zno
• znt