Zinc and Zinc Transporters—Novel Regulators of Cellular Signaling Pathways

ZHAO Youjiao^1,2, ZHAO Long^1,2*, SU Ying^1,3*

(¹Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; ²Fisheries College, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; ³College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China)

Abstract:

Zn (zinc) is the second abundant essential trace mineral in human bodies. Both zinc deficiency and excessive zinc absorption are highly associated with a variety of developmental defects and diseases. Zinc levels must be adjusted properly to maintain the cellular processes and biological response necessary for life. Zinc transporters control zinc influx and efflux between extracellular and intracellular compartments, thus, maintaining the zinc homeostasis. Zinc transporters are classified into two families: ZIP and ZnT, which direct the zinc influx and efflux, respectively. In recent years, there is growing evidence that zinc ions and transporters act as signaling regulators to participate in multiple cellular signaling transduction cascades. Here, focusing on the ZIP and ZnT family members, their distribution, structures and delivery manners for zinc ions are described, as well as the recent research progress of molecular mechanisms by which zinc ions and zinc transporters regulate several important cellular signaling pathways.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2020.09.0016