title: A zinc transporter gene required for development of the nervous system.
abstract: The essentiality of zinc for normal brain development is well established. It has been suggested that primary and secondary zinc deficiencies can contribute to the occurrence of numerous human birth defects, including many involving the central nervous system. In a recent study, we searched for zinc transporter genes that were critical for neurodevelopment. We confirmed that ZIP12 is a zinc transporter encoded by the gene slc39a12 that is highly expressed in the central nervous systems of human, mouse, and frog (Xenopus tropicalis).Using loss-of-function methods, we determined that ZIP12 is required for neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth and necessary for neurulation and embryonic viability. These results highlight an essential need for zinc regulation during embryogenesis and nervous system development. We suggest that slc39a12 is a candidate gene for inherited neurodevelopmental defects in humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition; University of California, Davis; Davis, CA USA ; Cellular Dynamics Program; Marine Biological Laboratory; Woods Hole, MA USA.
authors.forename: Winyoo
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chowanadisai
authors.affiliation: Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering; Marine Biological Laboratory; Woods Hole, MA USA.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition; University of California, Davis; Davis, CA USA.
authors.forename: Carl L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Keen
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition; University of California, Davis; Davis, CA USA.
authors.forename: Robert B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Rucker
authors.affiliation: Cellular Dynamics Program; Marine Biological Laboratory; Woods Hole, MA USA ; Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering; Marine Biological Laboratory; Woods Hole, MA USA.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Messerli
keywords: brain development; cell signaling; malnutrition; microtubules; neural tube defect; periconceptual nutrition; prenatal nutrition; prenatal vitamins; zinc deficiency; zinc supplementation