Solute Carrier Family 30, Member 2 (SLC30A2)

Palmiter et al. (1996) isolated a novel zinc transporter, ZNT2 (SLC30A2), from a rat kidney cDNA expression library by complementation of a zinc-sensitive BHK cell line. The deduced 359-amino acid protein shares 26% sequence identity with rat ZNT1 (SLC30A1); like ZNT1, it has 6 potential membrane-spanning domains, a histidine-rich fourth loop, and a long C-terminal tail. RT-PCR detected expression of ZNT2 in intestine, seminal vesicles, and testis.Using GFP-ZNT2 fusion experiments and immunofluorescence studies, Palmiter et al. (1996) determined that ZNT2 localizes to vesicular membranes. Prolonged exposure of cells expressing ZNT2 to zinc caused an accretion of intracellular vesicles. Palmiter et al. (1996) suggested that ZNT2 protects cells from zinc toxicity by facilitating zinc transport into an endosomal/lysosomal compartment.