Abstract : Objective 　To investigate the effect of zinc on Uch2L1 expression in hippocampus of growing rats.Methods 　Thirty2six male weanling Wistar rats were randomly assigned to zinc2adequate (ZA) , zinc2deficient (ZD) and pair2fed (PF) groups. Rats of ZD group were given free access to a basal diet (Zn 115mgPkg) . Rats of other two groups were given the basal diet supplemented with zinc sulfate ( Zn 30mgPkg) . PF rats consumed the same intakes as the corresponding ZD partner on the previous day. After 42wk treatment , plasma zinc concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity were tested. Passive avoidance performance was used to examine learning and memory function. Western blot and RT2PCR were used to assess the expressions of Uch2L1 protein and mRNA in rat hippocampus , respectively. Results 　Zinc deprivation dramatically decreased plasma zinc concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity. Significantly shorter latency
period in passive avoidance performance in ZD group were observed. Uch2L1 protein and mRNA expression levels in hippocampus significantly reduced in comparison with ZA and PF groups. Conclusion 　Zinc deficiency could induce
downregulation of Uch2L1 expression.

Key words :zinc deficiency , hippocampus , Uch2L1