Zinc transporter ZIP1 (SLC39A1) (ZIP1)

Zinc transporter ZIP1, encoded by the SLC39A1 gene, is a primary mediator of zinc uptake into the cytosol from the extracellular environment. In human skin fibroblasts, ZIP1 and related members of the SLC39A family are essential for maintaining intracellular zinc levels, which are critical for collagen synthesis, DNA repair, and antioxidant defense. Dysregulation of zinc uptake is linked to various pathologies, including skin disorders, impaired wound healing, and certain cancers where ZIP1 expression is often downregulated to prevent zinc-induced apoptosis. While ZIP1 itself is rarely the direct target of small molecule drugs, it is a critical component of the pharmacological profile for zinc-based therapies and ionophores used in treating deficiency and neurodegenerative diseases.

Other names

Solute carrier family 39 member 1ZRT/IRT-like protein 1Zinc transporter 1SLC39A1Zinc uptake

ZIP1 facilitates the influx of zinc ions from the extracellular space or intracellular organelles into the cytosol to maintain cellular zinc homeostasis and support zinc-dependent enzymatic activities.