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Updated: Sep 12, 2025

Author Spotlight: Exploring Cellular Zinc Regulation Through ZnT1 Functionality
Published on: June 2, 2023
Plant ZIP transporter: functional analysis on metal uptake, transport, and homeostasis
Yuying Yang1, Shuxin Chen1, Huan Liu1
1State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, 100091, PR China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Breeding, Research Institute of Subtropical of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311400, PR China.
Abstract:
The zinc-regulated transporters and iron-regulated transporter-like proteins (ZIP) represent a significant class of cation transport proteins in living organisms. They play a pivotal role in maintaining the dynamic equilibrium of cations during metabolic processes and in the development of the organism. Therefore, it is imperative to characterize comprehensively ZIP transporters and their functional divergence among phylogenetically diverse plant species under specific metal stress conditions. This review focuses on recent advances in the molecular mechanisms of ZIP transporters governing metal uptake, transport, and homeostasis. ZIP transporters exhibit phylogenetically conserved yet tissue-divergent expression, reflecting spatiotemporal control of cation homeostasis. Some ZIP transporters, which primarily facilitate rhizospheric metal absorption and their subsequent loading into the xylem for transportation to the aboveground. In foliar issues, ZIP proteins coordinate symplasmic metal redistribution and vacuolar sequestration to maintain cellular ion homeostasis. Furthermore, ZIP transporters of the woody plants have a stronger ability to transport cadmium and zinc to the aboveground compared with herbaceous plants. The regulatory pathways governing ZIP transporters are also summarized, encompassing transcription factors, phytohormones et al. Finally, the application of ZIP transporters in soil phytoremediation and breeding strategies is also discussed to improve metal ion uptake in plants, enhance environmental remediation, and support biofortification efforts. Overall, ZIP transporters hold the potential to enhance Zn and Fe accumulation while mitigating Cd uptake in crops. Comprehensive research on these zinc-iron transport proteins can provide robust theoretical foundations and practical technical support for improving plant nutrition, enhancing stress resistance, and remediating environmental pollution.
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