| 2014 |
ZnT-1 functions as a Zn2+/H+ exchanger to extrude zinc from mammalian cells. Active-site mutagenesis of two amino acids in the putative zinc-binding domain abolished Zn2+ efflux and eliminated protection against Zn2+ toxicity. Efflux was sodium-independent, pH-driven, and calcium-sensitive. |
Fluorescent imaging (FluoZin-3, Fura-2) in HEK293T cells, active-site mutagenesis, homology modeling based on YiiP crystal structure |
Metallomics |
High |
24951051
|
| 2021 |
In primary mouse cortical neurons, ZnT1 functions as a Zn2+/Ca2+ exchanger rather than a Zn2+/H+ exchanger. Knockdown via AAV-shZnT1 increased rates of Zn2+ rise and decreased rates of Zn2+ removal. Elimination of extracellular Ca2+ abolished Zn2+ efflux; increased extracellular Ca2+ enhanced efflux. Intracellular Ca2+ rises (measured by GCaMP6) paralleled cytoplasmic Zn2+ removal. |
AAV-shRNA knockdown in primary cortical neurons, FluoZin-3 fluorescence imaging, GCaMP6 Ca2+ imaging, ion substitution experiments |
Cell calcium |
High |
34871934
|
| 2017 |
ZnT-1 is a dual-function protein: its Zn2+/H+ transport activity and its inhibition of the L-type calcium channel (LTCC) are structurally independent functions. Mutations in membrane-spanning helices that abolish zinc transport do not prevent LTCC inhibition. The intracellular C-terminal domain alone (lacking all ion-transfer segments) inhibits LTCC as efficiently as wild-type ZnT-1. |
Site-directed mutagenesis, truncation constructs, electrophysiology in Xenopus oocytes and mammalian cells |
Metallomics |
High |
28091657
|
| 2004 |
ZnT-1 reduces intracellular zinc by modulating influx rather than accelerating efflux. Co-expression of ZnT-1 with the L-type calcium channel (LTCC) reduced the rate of zinc influx ~3-fold in HEK293 and PC-12 cells. ZnT-1 expression did not alter LTCC protein levels, indicating functional rather than expressional regulation of the channel. |
Fluorescent zinc transport measurements in HEK293/PC-12 cells, immunoblot for LTCC expression, overexpression of ZnT-1 with LTCC |
Biochemical and biophysical research communications |
Medium |
15451416
|
| 2006 |
ZnT-1 silencing (siRNA) in cortical neurons caused ~70% reduction in ZnT-1 expression, increased Ca2+ influx via LTCC ~4-fold, increased synaptic release ~30%, and increased Zn2+ and Cd2+ influx rates through LTCC. This established ZnT-1 as a regulator of cation permeation through L-type Ca2+ channels in neurons. |
siRNA knockdown, fluorescent Ca2+/Zn2+/Cd2+ influx measurements, FM1-43 synaptic release assay in cortical neurons and granulosa cells |
Journal of molecular medicine |
Medium |
16741752
|
| 2006 |
ZnT-1 overexpression or siRNA silencing in cultured cardiomyocytes decreased or increased (respectively) barium influx through LTCC. Co-expression in Xenopus oocytes decreased whole-cell barium current. Rapid pacing increased ZnT-1 protein expression and inhibited LTCC; silencing ZnT-1 prevented pacing-induced LTCC inhibition. In vivo atrial pacing of rats increased atrial ZnT-1 expression in parallel with decreased refractory period. |
Overexpression and siRNA knockdown in cardiomyocytes, Xenopus oocyte electrophysiology, in vivo rat atrial pacing, Western blot |
Cell calcium |
High |
17196651
|
| 2011 |
ZnT-1 protects cardiomyocytes from ischemia-reperfusion injury through its C-terminal domain-mediated activation of Raf-1 kinase and downstream ERK signaling. A C-terminal truncation abolished ERK activation and cardioprotection, whereas expression of the C-terminal domain alone was sufficient for both. MEK inhibitor PD98059 abolished the protective effect. |
Overexpression and knockdown in HL-1 cardiomyocytes, truncation constructs, LDH release and caspase activation assays, phospho-ERK immunoblot, MEK inhibitor |
Journal of molecular medicine |
High |
22193398
|
| 2012 |
ZnT-1 enhances T-type calcium channel (CaV3.1 and CaV3.2) activity and plasma membrane surface expression through Ras-ERK signaling. Co-expression of non-active Raf-1 blocked ZnT-1-mediated ERK phosphorylation and abolished T-type current augmentation. MEK inhibitor PD-98059 abolished the ZnT-1-induced increase in CaV3.1 surface expression (measured by biotinylation and TIRF microscopy). |
Xenopus oocyte electrophysiology, CHO cell overexpression, surface biotinylation, TIRF microscopy, dominant-negative Raf-1, MEK inhibitor PD-98059 |
American journal of physiology. Cell physiology |
High |
22572848
|
| 2023 |
ZnT1 binds the auxiliary β-subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC) and Raf-1 kinase, mediating crosstalk between LTCC and T-type calcium channels. The VGCC β-subunit inhibits ZnT1-induced augmentation of T-type channel (TTCC) function by reducing ZnT1-induced Ras-ERK activation. This effect is specific to ZnT1, as the β-subunit did not affect endothelin-1-induced TTCC surface expression. |
Co-expression in Xenopus oocytes and mammalian cells, electrophysiology, co-immunoprecipitation, Western blot for phospho-ERK, surface expression assays |
Metallomics |
Medium |
37193665
|
| 2020 |
Disruption of the ZnT1-GluN2A association by a cell-permeant peptide strongly reduced NMDAR inhibition by synaptic zinc in mouse dorsal cochlear nucleus synapses. Synaptic zinc inhibition of NMDARs required postsynaptic intracellular zinc, indicating that cytoplasmic zinc is transported by ZnT1 to the extracellular space near the NMDAR. This establishes a postsynaptic transporter mechanism (rather than purely presynaptic release/diffusion) for zinc inhibition of NMDARs. |
Cell-permeant peptide disruption of ZnT1-GluN2A interaction, electrophysiology in mouse dorsal cochlear nucleus slices, intracellular zinc manipulation |
Science advances |
High |
32937457
|
| 2022 |
Intracellular zinc drives MTF-1 activity in cortical neurons, increasing ZnT1 expression and the number of GluN2A-ZnT1 interactions, thereby enhancing tonic zinc inhibition of NMDAR-mediated currents. This effect was absent when the ZnT1-GluN2A interaction was disrupted by a cell-permeable peptide, linking zinc-responsive gene expression to NMDAR modulation. |
MTF-1 reporter assays in cortical neurons, co-immunoprecipitation for GluN2A-ZnT1 interaction, cell-permeant peptide disruption, electrophysiology |
Neuroscience letters |
Medium |
36202195
|
| 2000 |
MTF-1 is essential for both basal and metal-induced (zinc and cadmium) regulation of the ZnT1 gene. In vitro DNA-binding assays showed mouse MTF-1 binds avidly to two metal-response elements in the ZnT1 promoter. MTF-1 knockout mouse embryo fibroblasts showed loss of both basal and inducible ZnT1 expression. In vivo, MTF-1 knockout in mice reduced ZnT1 mRNA ~4-6-fold in visceral yolk sac. |
In vitro DNA-binding assay, MTF-1 knockout mouse embryo fibroblasts, transgenic MTF-1 knockout mice, in situ hybridization, mRNA induction assays |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
High |
10952993
|
| 2019 |
Under zinc-sufficient conditions, ZNT1 accumulates on the plasma membrane. Under zinc-deficient conditions, plasma membrane ZNT1 is endocytosed and degraded through both proteasomal and lysosomal pathways. ZNT1 is N-glycosylated on Asn299 in the extracellular loop between TM domains V and VI; this modification affects stability (non-glycosylated ZNT1 is more stable) but not zinc efflux function or subcellular localization. |
Subcellular fractionation, proteasome/lysosome inhibitors, site-directed mutagenesis of Asn299, immunofluorescence, functional zinc resistance assays in human and vertebrate cells |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
High |
31471319
|
| 2013 |
Cooperative functions of ZnT1, metallothionein (MT), and ZnT4 in the cytoplasm are required for full activation of tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) in the early secretory pathway (ESP). In ZnT1−/−MT−/−ZnT4−/− cells, TNAP activity was significantly reduced despite increased cytosolic zinc. Activity was restored by re-expression of wild-type but not zinc transport-incompetent mutants of ZnT1, demonstrating that ZnT1's zinc transport activity specifically supports ESP zinc enzyme activation. |
Triple gene knockout cells, re-expression with wild-type and transport-deficient mutants, TNAP activity assay, zinc supplementation rescue experiments |
PloS one |
High |
24204829
|
| 2024 |
Cryo-EM structure combined with site-specific mutagenesis of human SLC30A1 identified a zinc transport mechanism unique within the SLC30A family, with His43 as a critical residue for zinc selectivity. Intestinal Slc30a1 is localized to the basolateral membrane of intestinal epithelial cells by lineage tracing. Intestinal-specific knockout mice showed impaired survival, establishing that intestinal SLC30A1 is essential for systemic zinc homeostasis. |
Cryo-EM structure determination, site-directed mutagenesis of His43, tissue-specific knockout mice (intestinal), lineage tracing for localization |
Advanced science |
High |
39422023
|
| 2021 |
Human ZnT1 and a variant were heterologously expressed in S. cerevisiae and purified. The purified hZnT1 variant displayed Zn2+/H+ antiporter activity in vitro. Small-angle X-ray scattering of the soluble C-terminal domain (CTD) showed it forms a dimer with a V-shaped core in solution. The hZnT1-CTD melting temperature increases at acidic pH. |
Heterologous expression in yeast, detergent purification, in vitro Zn2+/H+ antiporter activity assay, SAXS analysis of CTD |
Frontiers in chemistry |
Medium |
33996761
|
| 2009 |
Drosophila ZnT1 (dZnT1) is essential for dietary zinc absorption and functions at the basolateral membrane of enterocytes. Gut-specific silencing caused lethality under zinc scarcity. Human ZnT1, but not ZnT7 or ZnT4, rescued zinc-acquiring defects from dZnT1 silencing, demonstrating functional conservation and specificity. |
RNAi in Drosophila (ubiquitous and gut-specific), overexpression of human ZnT1/ZnT7/ZnT4 rescue, immunofluorescence for basolateral localization, zinc tolerance assays |
FASEB journal |
High |
19325039
|
| 2023 |
Somatic in-frame deletions in SLC30A1 (p.L51_A57del, p.L49_L55del) near the zinc-binding site (His43, Asp47) in TM domain II cause primary aldosteronism by inducing pathological Na+ influx in adrenal cells. The SLC30A1 L51_57del variant in a doxycycline-inducible adrenal cell system caused membrane depolarization, opening of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, increased cytosolic Ca2+, and stimulation of CYP11B2 expression and aldosterone production. |
Next-generation sequencing, doxycycline-inducible expression system in adrenal cells, ion current measurements, cytosolic Ca2+ measurements, CYP11B2 mRNA and aldosterone assays |
Nature genetics |
High |
37709865
|
| 2008 |
ZnT1 silencing by vector-based shRNA (~40% reduction) in cultured rat cortical neurons decreased Zn2+ efflux compared to control neurons, demonstrating that ZnT1 plays a direct role in Zn2+ efflux. ZnT1-dependent efflux was higher in the first 10 min, suggesting dependence on intracellular free Zn2+ concentration or outward Zn2+ gradient. |
Vector-based shRNA knockdown in primary cortical neurons, FluoZin-3 microfluorometry to track intracellular Zn2+, EDTA-mediated extracellular Zn2+ removal |
Neuroscience letters |
Medium |
19095042
|
| 2000 |
PC12 cells stably overexpressing wild-type rat ZnT-1 exhibited enhanced Zn2+ efflux and reduced vulnerability to Zn2+-induced death compared to parental cells. Cells expressing dominant-negative ZnT-1 showed opposite characteristics (reduced efflux, increased vulnerability). Zn2+ entered PC12 cells through L-type Ca2+ channels under depolarizing conditions. |
Stable cell line overexpression and dominant-negative expression, Zn2+ efflux assays, cell death assays (necrosis/apoptosis), L-type channel pharmacology |
Brain research |
Medium |
11119691
|
| 2004 |
Heterologous expression of ZnT-1 in astrocytes slowed intracellular zinc accumulation and reduced sensitivity to toxic zinc levels, functionally demonstrating that ZnT-1 expression is sufficient to confer zinc protection in glial cells. Zinc pretreatment induced ~4-fold increase in endogenous ZnT-1 expression. |
Heterologous ZnT-1 expression in primary astrocytes, fluorescence cell imaging for intracellular zinc, cell viability assays, immunoblot |
Glia |
Medium |
15378655
|
| 2020 |
In human monocyte-derived macrophages, LPS strongly upregulated SLC30A1 mRNA and protein. Ectopic SLC30A1 expression in THP-1 cells was sufficient to promote zinc-containing vesicle formation and localized to both plasma membrane and intracellular zinc-containing vesicles. SLC30A1-positive compartments subjected all contained bacteria to zinc stress, and SLC30A1 overexpression augmented zinc-mediated killing of intracellular E. coli. |
LPS stimulation, ectopic overexpression in THP-1 cells, fluorescent zinc vesicle imaging, E. coli zinc stress reporter, bacterial clearance assays, immunofluorescence for localization |
Journal of leukocyte biology |
Medium |
32441444
|
| 2024 |
Myeloid-specific Slc30a1 conditional knockout mice showed increased susceptibility to attenuated Salmonella infection. Slc30a1-deficient macrophages exhibited defective intracellular killing, reduced NF-κB activation, and reduced nitric oxide production. Intracellular zinc accumulated in knockout macrophages, confirming Slc30a1 is required for zinc export, which in turn enables NO-mediated antibacterial activity. |
Lyz2-Cre conditional KO mice, Salmonella infection model, intracellular killing assays, NF-κB activation, NO measurement, intracellular zinc fluorescence |
eLife |
High |
39475776
|
| 2023 |
ZNT1 in macrophages regulates endosomal zinc levels to control endocytosis of TLR4 and PD-L1. Myeloid-specific ZNT1 deletion in mice increased chronic inflammation, liver fibrosis, tumor numbers, and size. ZNT1-deficient macrophages showed impaired TLR4 and PD-L1 endocytosis, increasing macrophage-induced inflammation and immunosuppression. |
Myeloid-specific ZNT1 KO mice, liver tumor models, endocytosis assays for TLR4 and PD-L1, zinc supplementation experiments, immunofluorescence |
Hepatology |
High |
37816045
|
| 2026 |
ZIP3 (in dorsal cochlear nucleus cartwheel cells) and ZIP1 (in hippocampal CA3 cells) physically interact with ZnT1. Co-expression of ZnT1 with ZIP3 or ZIP1 in SH-SY5Y cells enhanced Zn2+ efflux rates compared to ZnT1 alone, supporting a local Zn2+-cycle model where ZIP-mediated import generates intracellular Zn2+ microdomains near ZnT1 to support its activity. |
Co-immunoprecipitation for ZIP3/ZIP1-ZnT1 interaction, Zn2+ efflux assays in SH-SY5Y cells with co-expression, immunofluorescence in dorsal cochlear nucleus and hippocampus |
Cellular and molecular life sciences |
Medium |
41779239
|
| 1998 |
Intestinal ZnT-1 protein was localized to the basolateral surface of enterocytes lining the villi of duodenum and jejunum by immunofluorescence. Dietary zinc supplementation elevated intestinal ZnT-1 mRNA and protein, while acute oral zinc dose upregulated mRNA without corresponding protein increase in intestine but increased protein in liver, demonstrating tissue-specific post-transcriptional regulation. |
Immunofluorescence for subcellular localization, Western blot, dietary zinc manipulation in rats |
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |
Medium |
9560190
|
| 2022 |
Overexpression of cell-surface-localized ZIP4 and ZIP5 increased cellular zinc content and caused increased cell-surface ZNT1 and cytosolic MT expression in the absence of added zinc. Elimination of overexpressed ZIP4/ZIP5 led to decreased ZNT1 expression but not MT expression, revealing differential protein-level regulation. In polarized cells, apically localized ZIP4 facilitated basolateral ZNT1 expression, establishing a coordinated expression mechanism for vectorial zinc transport. |
ZIP4/ZIP5 overexpression and depletion in cell lines, polarized cell models, zinc content measurement, Western blot for ZNT1 and MT |
Scientific reports |
Medium |
35513474
|
| 2021 |
Slc30a1-deficient zebrafish show zinc accumulation in NC cells with increased stemness markers and upregulation of snai2 and jag1b. Knockdown of either snai2 or jag1b rescued pharyngeal arch development in Slc30a1-deficient zebrafish. The double zinc-finger domain of Snai2 was identified as a zinc-responsive element regulating jag1b expression, placing Slc30a1 upstream of a Snai2-Jag1b signaling axis in neural crest differentiation. |
Zebrafish Slc30a1a/b morpholino knockdown, SMART-seq transcriptomics, rescue experiments with snai2/jag1b knockdown, reporter assays for zinc-finger domain |
MedComm |
Medium |
34977877
|
| 2019 |
Wild-type ZnT1 overexpression results in low intracellular zinc levels. Eight predicted functionally deleterious missense mutations in ZnT1, identified from cancer genomic databases, were validated as loss-of-function mutations: overexpression of these variants did not reduce intracellular zinc levels, confirming their functional impact. |
Novel functional zinc transport assays measuring cytosolic zinc levels, overexpression of WT and mutant ZnT1 in cell lines, bioinformatics analysis of COSMIC/gnomAD databases |
Cell death discovery |
Medium |
31728210
|
| 2016 |
MTF1 knockdown in Caco-2 cells augmented the transcriptome response to zinc for most genes but abolished zinc-responsive regulation of ZnT1 and metallothionein genes specifically, demonstrating that MTF1 directly controls ZnT1 and MT expression to buffer cellular zinc homeostasis. |
siRNA-mediated MTF1 knockdown in Caco-2 cells, transcriptome analysis, metallothionein overexpression validation |
Metallomics |
Medium |
26824222
|