Zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8) and β cell function.

Howard W Davidson, Janet M Wenzlau, Richard M O'Brien

Trends in endocrinology and metabolism: TEM 2014 Aug

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Human pancreatic β cells have exceptionally high zinc content. In β cells the highest zinc concentration is in insulin secretory granules, from which it is cosecreted with the hormone. Uptake of zinc into secretory granules is mainly mediated by zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8), the product of the SLC30A8 [solute carrier family 30 (zinc transporter), member 8] gene. The minor alleles of several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SLC30A8 are associated with decreased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D), but the precise mechanisms underlying the protective effects remain uncertain. In this article we review current knowledge of the role of ZnT8 in maintaining zinc homeostasis in β cells, its role in glucose metabolism based on knockout mouse studies, and current theories regarding the link between ZnT8 function and T2D. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Citation

Howard W Davidson, Janet M Wenzlau, Richard M O'Brien. Zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8) and β cell function. Trends in endocrinology and metabolism: TEM. 2014 Aug;25(8):415-24