Zinc transporter 3 (ZnT3 (SLC30A3))

Zinc transporter 3 (ZnT3; SLC30A3) is a membrane protein of the solute carrier 30 family responsible for transporting zinc from the cytosol into synaptic vesicles and lysosomes, thereby reducing cytoplasmic free zinc concentrations and maintaining zinc homeostasis, especially in the brain[1][2][3]. It is highly expressed in neurons, particularly in the brain where it enables zinc accumulation in synaptic vesicles, and plays a crucial role in synaptic transmission and neurological function[1][3][5]. ZnT3 functions as a probable proton-coupled zinc antiporter, supporting zinc sequestration into intracellular organelles in exchange for protons[3]. Dysregulation or knockout of ZnT3 significantly impairs zinc storage in synaptic vesicles and may be implicated in conditions such as epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases[3][4][5]. While it is experimentally valuable, drugs specifically targeting ZnT3 are not clinically established and direct pharmacological modulation is not reported in the literature as of yet.

Other names

SLC30A3ZnT3Solute carrier family 30 member 3Zinc transporter ZnT-3Probable proton-coupled zinc antiporter SLC30A3Zinc transporter 3ZNT3ZnT-3

Zinc ion antiport against protons (proton-coupled zinc transport)