Zinc transporter

Intracellular zinc homeostasis is strictly regulated by zinc-binding proteins such as metallothionein and zinc transporters (Rink et al. 2007). Zinc transporters are encoded by two SLC ("solute linked carrier") gene families: while members of the SLC39 family (Zip, "Zrt- and Irt-like proteins") increase the cytoplasmic zinc level by zinc uptake, members of the SLC30 family (ZnT, zinc transporter/exporter; CDF family, "cation diffusion facilitator") decrease the intracellular zinc concentration by transporting zinc out of the cell or into vesicular structures. To date, 15 Zips and 9 ZnTs have been detected in various human cells.

Antibodies against the zinc transporter 8 are important for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type 1.

• Zinc transporter 1
• Zinc transporter 2
• Zinc transporter 3
• Zinc transporter 4
• Zinc transporter 5
• Zinc transporter 6
• Zinc transporter 7
• Zinc transporter 8
• Zinc transporter 9

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