Zinc transporter SLC39A7 (SLC39A7 (or ZIP7))

Zinc transporter SLC39A7 (ZIP7) is a transmembrane protein encoded by the SLC39A7 gene in humans. It is primarily localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, where it controls the release of zinc ions from these organelles into the cytosol. This regulation of cytosolic zinc levels is critical for cellular processes such as kinase activation, signal transduction, cell proliferation, glucose metabolism, and maintenance of immune cell function. ZIP7 is implicated in several cancers as a driver of proliferation and resistance to therapy and is required for normal B cell and macrophage activities. Loss or dysregulation of SLC39A7 can cause immunodeficiency, increase ER stress, and disturb cellular homeostasis. ZIP7 overexpression correlates with poor prognosis in several cancers, making it a putative therapeutic target and biomarker[1][2][3][4][6][7].

Other names

ZIP7Solute carrier family 39 member 7ZRT/IRT-like protein 7RING5KE4HKE4D6S2244EH2-KE4AGM9Histidine-rich membrane protein Ke4Really interesting new gene 5 protein

Not applicable; however, theoretically, SLC39A7 modulators would act by altering zinc efflux from intracellular stores, thereby affecting downstream signaling, especially kinases and cell proliferation pathways[1][3].