ZnT8 transports zinc into the secretory vesicles of pancreatic beta cells specifically Authored: Jassal, B, 2009-09-11 Edited: Jassal, B, 2009-08-21 Pubmed16984975 Reactome Database ID Release 43437136 Reactome, http://www.reactome.org ReactomeREACT_20678 Reviewed: He, L, 2009-11-12 The human SLC30A8 gene encodes the zinc transporter ZnT8 which is specifically expressed in pancreatic beta cells. Zinc is required for zinc-insulin crystallization within secretory vesicles of these cells. After glucose stimulation, large amounts of zinc are secreted locally in the extracellular matrix together with insulin. It has been suggested that this co-secreted zinc plays a role in islet cell paracrine and/or autocrine communication<br>(Chimienti F et al, 2006).