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Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring Cellular Zinc Regulation Through ZnT1 Functionality
Published on: June 2, 2023
Maintenance of Intestinal Epithelial Homeostasis by Zinc Transporters
Wakana Ohashi1, Takafumi Hara2, Teruhisa Takagishi2
1Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences for Research, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan.
Abstract:
Zinc is an essential micronutrient for normal organ function, and dysregulation of zinc metabolism has been implicated in a wide range of diseases. Emerging evidence has revealed that zinc transporters play diverse roles in cellular homeostasis and function by regulating zinc trafficking via organelles or the plasma membrane. In the gastrointestinal tract, zinc deficiency leads to diarrhea and dysfunction of intestinal epithelial cells. Studies also showed that zinc transporters are very important in intestinal epithelial homeostasis. In this review, we describe the physiological roles of zinc transporters in intestinal epithelial functions and relevance of zinc transporters in gastrointestinal diseases.
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