PathwayStep4910 PathwayStep4917 Zinc transporters Authored: Jassal, B, 2009-09-09 Edited: Jassal, B, 2009-09-09 Pubmed16675045 Pubmed17374385 Pubmed18754861 Reactome Database ID Release 43435354 Reactome, http://www.reactome.org ReactomeREACT_20530 Reviewed: He, L, 2009-11-12 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) Zinc efflux and compartmentalization by the SLC30 family Zinc influx into cells by the SLC39 gene family