Fig. 10.

Schematic drawing of a PMN affected by Zn²⁺.

The PMN represented as blue oval, terminates (stops) its respiratory burst by zinc inhibition of the voltage-gated proton channel H_V1. The further effects of zinc are depicted in red. Zinc directly binds to H_V1 and inhibits proton conduction, leading to a rise in the membrane potential (V_m). The highly elevated V_m inhibits NOX2, which is inhibited by increased transmembrane voltage. Subsequently, H₂O₂ release declines. Therefore, high [Zn²⁺] dampens the respiratory burst of PMN and leads to termination of the burst.