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Updated: Jan 1, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring Cellular Zinc Regulation Through ZnT1 Functionality
Published on: June 2, 2023
Differential expression of zinc transporters in functionally contrasting tissues involved in zinc homeostasis
Kiran Alluri1, Krishna Pillay Madhavan Nair2, Sudip Ghosh1
1Molecular Biology Division, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad, India.
Abstract:
Zinc homeostasis is maintained by 24 tissue-specific zinc transporters which include ZnTs (ZnT1-10), ZIPs (ZIP1-14), in addition to metallothionein (MT). Current study aimed the role of zinc transporters in maintaining the basal levels of zinc in functionally contrasting tissue specific THP-1 (monocyte), RD (muscle), and Saos-2 (bone) cells. Zinc transporters expression was assessed by qRT-PCR. The mRNA levels of ZnTs (ZnT5-7 & ZnT9), ZIPs (ZIP6-10, ZIP13-14), and MT were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in Saos-2 compared to THP-1 and RD. The present study suggests that distinct expression pattern of zinc transporters and metallothionein might be responsible for the differential zinc assimilation.
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