[Structure and functions of ZRT and IRT-like protein]

Member of the ZIP(ZRT and IRT-like protein) gene family belongs to metal transporter super family, they were firstly identified in plants, and then were found at all phylogenetic levels. They are capable of transporting a variety of cations, including cadmium, iron, zinc and manganese. These founding are very important for us to understand the metal deficiency or over accumulation at molecular level. The structure and functions of the novel metal transporter family, ZIP family, found in Arabidopsis recent years will be reviewed in this paper.