Molecular Size and Distribution of Zinc-binding Ligands in Rat Pancreatic Tissue

The pancreas is an important organ in the maintenance of zine homeostasis. The pancreatic tissue used in this study was obtained from rats fed varying levels of dietary Ca nd phytate followed by intraperitoneal {TEX}${65}^Zn${/TEX} injection. THe objective of this study was to determine the molecular size and distribution of compounds that may represent zinc-binding complexes in pancreatic tissue homogenates. The supernatant of the homogenized pancreatic tissue was separated using a Sephadex G-75 column with Tris buffer at pH 8.1. All subfractions were assayed for zinc, protein and {TEX}${65}^Zn${/TEX} activity. The elution of subfractions from pancreatic tissue homogenates showed a prominent peak corresponding to the high molecular weight protein standard (>66kd). A sall molecular weigth protein (<6.5kd), that was absorbed at 280nm, was also present: prominently in low Ca group, however not much as in high Ca group. These small compounds may combine weakly with zinc in pancreatic tissue an serve as zinc-binding ligands in pancreatic/biliary fluid. In the duodenum, these ligands dissociate zinc into an ionic form which becomes vulnerable to phytate complexation.