title: Physiological roles of zinc transporters: molecular and genetic importance in zinc homeostasis.
abstract: Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace mineral that regulates the expression and activation of biological molecules such as transcription factors, enzymes, adapters, channels, and growth factors, along with their receptors. Zn deficiency or excessive Zn absorption disrupts Zn homeostasis and affects growth, morphogenesis, and immune response, as well as neurosensory and endocrine functions. Zn levels must be adjusted properly to maintain the cellular processes and biological responses necessary for life. Zn transporters regulate Zn levels by controlling Zn influx and efflux between extracellular and intracellular compartments, thus, modulating the Zn concentration and distribution. Although the physiological functions of the Zn transporters remain to be clarified, there is growing evidence that Zn transporters are related to human diseases, and that Zn transporter-mediated Zn ion acts as a signaling factor, called "Zinc signal". Here we describe critical roles of Zn transporters in the body and their contribution at the molecular, biochemical, and genetic levels, and review recently reported disease-related mutations in the Zn transporter genes.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Tokushima, Japan.
authors.forename: Takafumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.affiliation: Division of Integrated Life Science, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Taka-Aki
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Tokushima, Japan.
authors.forename: Teruhisa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takagishi
authors.affiliation: Division of Integrated Life Science, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuhisa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fukue
authors.affiliation: Division of Integrated Life Science, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. kambe1@kais.kyoto-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Taiho
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kambe
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Tokushima, Japan. fukada@ph.bunri-u.ac.jp.|Division of Pathology, Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan. fukada@ph.bunri-u.ac.jp.|RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. fukada@ph.bunri-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fukada
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; C017800:zinc-binding protein; D015032:Zinc
keywords: Disease; Physiology; Transporter; Zinc; Zinc signaling