Zinc transporters

Zinc is an essential element for all organisms because it serves as a catalytic or structural cofactor for many different proteins. Cellular zinc homoeostasis is co-ordinated through Zn2+-specific transporters which are members of two distinct gene families. Members of the SLC39 gene family (ZRTL-like import proteins1-14, ZIP1-14) are responsible for Zn2+ import into the cytoplasm, either across the plasma membrane or out of intracellular organelles. In contrast, members of the SLC30 gene family (zinc transporters 1-10, ZnT1-10) export Zn2+ from the cytoplasm, either across the plasma membrane into the extracellular space or into intracellular organelles (Murakami M and Hirano T, 2008; Devirgiliis C et al, 2007; Eide DJ, 2006).

Summary from Reactome (R-HSA-435354), read 2026-09-23.