FROM SOIL TO BRAIN - ZINC-DEFICIENCY INCREASES THE NEUROTOXICITY OF LATHYRUS-SATIVUS AND MAY AFFECT THE SUSCEPTIBILITY FOR THE MOTORNEURONEDISEASE NEUROLATHYRISM
F. Lambein et al., FROM SOIL TO BRAIN - ZINC-DEFICIENCY INCREASES THE NEUROTOXICITY OF LATHYRUS-SATIVUS AND MAY AFFECT THE SUSCEPTIBILITY FOR THE MOTORNEURONEDISEASE NEUROLATHYRISM, Toxicon, 32(4), 1994, pp. 461-466
Zinc deficiency and oversupply of iron to the roots of grass pea (Lath
yrus sativus) induce increases in the content of the neurotoxin beta-L
-ODAP (3-oxalyl-L-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid) in the ripe seeds. The tr
ansport of zinc to the shoots is enhanced by the addition of beta-L-OD
AP. The neurotoxin of L. sativus is proposed to function as a carrier
molecule for zinc ions. Soils, depleted in micronutrients from floodin
g by monsoon rains (Indian subcontinent) or otherwise poor in availabl
e zinc and with high iron content (Ethiopian vertisols), may be respon
sible for higher incidence of human lathyrism, one of the oldest neuro
toxic diseases known to man. A role for brain zinc deficiency in the s
usceptibility for lathyrism is postulated.