Zinc transporter families SLC30 and SLC39 (ZIP and ZnT) (ZIP and ZnT)

Zinc transporter families SLC30 (ZnT) and SLC39 (ZIP) are essential membrane proteins that regulate the distribution of zinc ions across cellular and organellar membranes [1]. The ZIP transporters facilitate the movement of zinc into the cytosol from either the extracellular space or from within intracellular compartments [2]. Conversely, ZnT transporters function in the opposite direction, moving zinc out of the cytosol to the extracellular space or into organelles for storage and secretion [3]. These transporters maintain the precise intracellular zinc concentrations required for the function of over 300 enzymes and thousands of zinc-finger transcription factors [1]. The physiological zinc-binding sites within these transporters, often characterized by conserved histidine and aspartate residues, are critical for ion selection and the transport mechanism [4]. Mutations or expression changes in these transporters are implicated in a wide range of diseases, including Type 2 diabetes, where ZnT8 plays a role in insulin maturation, and various cancers where ZIP transporters promote cell proliferation [1, 5]. Therapeutic targeting of these transporters aims to restore zinc homeostasis or exploit zinc-dependent signaling pathways in pathological cells [6]. Current research focuses on identifying small molecules that can selectively bind to these transporters to treat metabolic, inflammatory, and oncological conditions [4, 6].

Other names

SLC30 familySLC39 familyZrt- and Irt-like proteinsZinc transportersSolute carrier family 30Solute carrier family 39

Modulation of zinc ion transport across cellular and organellar membranes to regulate cytosolic zinc concentrations and intracellular signaling pathways [1, 4].