Zinc-activated ligand-gated ion channel (ZACN)

The **zinc-activated ligand-gated ion channel (ZACN)** is a member of the Cys-loop receptor superfamily, which encompasses pentameric ligand-gated ion channels such as nicotinic acetylcholine, 5-HT3, GABA_A, and glycine receptors[1][4]. ZACN forms a cation-selective ion channel that is gated primarily by Zn^2+, but also by Cu^2+ and H^+, and is non-selectively permeable to monovalent cations such as Na^+, K^+, and Cs^+[1][4]. In contrast to other Cys-loop receptors, ZACN is *not* permeable to divalent cations like Ca^2+ and Mg^2+; these ions instead inhibit the channel[1]. ZACN is broadly expressed in human tissues, including the brain, spinal cord, and various peripheral organs, but is absent from rodent genomes[4]. Because its agonist, Zn^2+, is a key modulator in the nervous system, ZACN has been proposed to serve as a Zn^2+ sensor and may play a role in metal ion homeostasis and signal transduction[2][3]. Structural and functional data suggest ZACN's unique properties distinguish it from better-known Cys-loop receptors, though its precise physiological and pathological significance remains under study[2][3][1]. There are currently no approved drugs targeting ZACN, and its full disease association and biomarker relevance have not been established.

Other names

Ligand-gated cation channel ZACNZACNL2LGICZZACLGICZ1ZAC1Ligand-gated ion channel zinc-activated 1Ligand-gated ion-channel receptor L2Zinc-activated channelligand-gated ion channel subunitzinc-activated ligand-gated ion channel

Channel agonism (by Zn^2+, Cu^2+, H^+), channel inhibition (by Ca^2+, Mg^2+)