Effect of zinc deficiency on expression of Egr gene in hippocampus of growing rats

Objective To study the effect of zinc deficiency on the expression of Egr gene in hippocampus of rats.Methods Thirty newborn SD rats and their mothers were randomly divided in to three groups:zinc adequation(ZA),zinc deficiency(ZD),paired-fed(PF).After 60 days feeding,the RNA in hippocampus was extracted and the levels of Egr1,Egr2,Egr3,Egr4 mRNA were measured with real tmie fluorescent quantity PCR.Results The Egr1,Egr3,Egr4 gene expressions in hippocampus among the three groups were diffe rent signif icantly(F=13.631,24.435,21.825,P<0.05).The Egr1,Egr3,Egr4 gene expressions in hippocampus of ZD group were lower than that of PF group.While the Egr1,Egr3,Egr4 gene expressions in hippocampus of PF group were lower than that of ZA group.However,there was nodifference of the Egr2 expression in hippocam pus among three groups.Conclusion Downregulation of Egr1,Egr3,Egr4 mRNA expression in hippocampus by zinc deficiency is one of the mechanism of zinc deficiency affecting the learning and memory.