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Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Characterizing Mammalian Zinc Transporters Using an In Vitro Zinc Transport Assay
Published on: June 2, 2023
Zn2+ transporters and Zn2+ homeostasis in neurons
Robert A Colvin1, Charles P Fontaine, Meggan Laskowski
1Program in Neuroscience, Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA. colvin@ohio.edu
Abstract:
Although the presence of Zn2+ in the brain has been known for nearly half a century, only recently has its precise location and potential roles as a neuromodulator and signaling molecule as well as neurotoxic agent come to the forefront. Unfortunately, our understanding of Zn2+ homeostatic mechanisms lags far behind. The recent identification of presumed Zn2+ transporters has opened new approaches to studying Zn2+ homeostatic mechanisms in neurons. Zn2+ transporters are involved in separate Zn2+ influx and efflux pathways in neurons. However, we are only beginning to understand the mechanism of Zn2+ transport and much more research needs to be done. We are only beginning to understand the transcriptional control and cellular location of Zn2+ transporters, as well. Finally, this review presents a working model of neuronal Zn2+ homeostasis and discusses the experimental evidence for the proposed roles that Zn2+ transporters might play.
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