Solute Carrier Family 39, Member 7 (SLC39A7)

Zinc is an essential cofactor for more than 50 classes of enzymes. It is involved in protein, nucleic acid, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism, as well as in the control of gene transcription, growth, development, and differentiation. Zinc cannot passively diffuse across cell membranes and requires specific transporters, such as SLC39A7, to enter the cytosol from both the extracellular environment and from intracellular storage compartments.Fluorescence microscopy of Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with HKE4 revealed staining of a perinuclear network and colocalization with an ER marker protein. RNA dot blot analysis indicated low but ubiquitous expression of HKE4, with highest levels in placenta, liver, pituitary, pancreas, salivary gland, kidney, and prostate.