Zinc transporter (ZnT and ZIP) (ZnT/ZIP)

Zinc transporters are a superfamily of integral membrane proteins essential for maintaining cellular zinc homeostasis, categorized into two primary families: the Solute Carrier 30 (SLC30 or ZnT) and Solute Carrier 39 (SLC39 or ZIP) families (Kambe et al., 2015, Physiological Reviews). The ZnT family functions to reduce cytoplasmic zinc concentrations by transporting zinc out of the cell or into intracellular organelles, whereas the ZIP family increases cytoplasmic zinc by facilitating its entry from the extracellular space or release from internal stores (Fukada & Kambe, 2011, Metallomics). These transporters are vital for the structural and catalytic function of over 300 enzymes and thousands of zinc-finger transcription factors, thereby influencing cell growth, immune response, and signal transduction (Bin et al., 2018, International Journal of Molecular Sciences). Dysregulation of specific transporters is linked to various pathologies, such as SLC30A8 in Type 2 diabetes and SLC39A4 in the severe deficiency disorder acrodermatitis enteropathica (Sladek et al., 2007, Nature; Kury et al., 2002, Nature Genetics). Therapeutic strategies targeting these transporters include the use of zinc ionophores like PBT2 to redistribute zinc in neurodegenerative diseases or the development of inhibitors to modulate zinc-dependent signaling in cancer (Adlard et al., 2008, Neuron).

Other names

Solute carrier family 30Solute carrier family 39ZnTZIPSLC30SLC39Zinc carrier

Modulation of cellular zinc levels through the regulation of zinc influx (facilitated by the ZIP/SLC39 family) and zinc efflux or organelle sequestration (facilitated by the ZnT/SLC30 family).