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Updated: Mar 20, 2026

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Zinc and diabetes.

Pauline Chabosseau1, Guy A Rutter1

  • 1Section of Cell Biology and Functional Genomics, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W120NN, UK.

Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics
|June 6, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Zinc ions are vital for insulin processing and storage in pancreatic cells. Variants in the SLC30A8 gene, which codes for the zinc transporter ZnT8, are linked to altered glucose homeostasis and Type 2 Diabetes risk.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Zinc ions (Zn2+) are crucial for insulin processing and storage within pancreatic islet cells.
  • Dysregulation of pancreatic insulin content is a hallmark of all forms of diabetes mellitus.
  • The human SLC30A8 gene encodes the zinc transporter ZnT8, highly expressed in pancreatic islet β and α cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the regulation and roles of Zn2+ ions in pancreatic islet cells.
  • To explore mechanisms by which SLC30A8 variants influence glucose homeostasis and diabetes risk.
  • To discuss novel technologies for investigating Zn2+ transport in diabetes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on zinc ions, SLC30A8, and diabetes.
Keywords:
Beta cellDiabetesInsulinMouseZincZinc probe

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  • Analysis of studies identifying SLC30A8 gene variants associated with Type 2 Diabetes risk.
  • Examination of emerging technologies such as recombinant zinc probes and knockout mouse models.

    • Main Results:

    • Zn2+ ions play a significant role in insulin granule processing and storage.
    • Genetic variants in SLC30A8 are demonstrably linked to altered risk for Type 2 Diabetes.
    • ZnT8 transporter function is critical for maintaining glucose homeostasis.

    Conclusions:

    • Understanding Zn2+ regulation in islet cells is key to understanding diabetes pathogenesis.
    • SLC30A8 variants represent a significant genetic factor influencing diabetes susceptibility.
    • Advanced research tools are essential for further elucidating the role of zinc transport in diabetes.