Differential Regulation of Zinc Transporter 1, 2, and 4 mRNA Expression by Dietary Zinc in Rats

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Abstract
Zinc metabolism is well regulated over a wide range of dietary intakes to help maintain cellular zinc-dependent functions. Expression of transporter molecules, which influence zinc influx and efflux across the plasma and intracellular membranes, contributes to this regulation. We have examined in rats the comparative response of zinc transporters 1, 2, and 4 (ZnT-1, ZnT-2 and ZnT-4) to dietary zinc. ZnT-1 and ZnT-4 are expressed ubiquitously, whereas ZnT-2 is limited to small intestine, kidney, placenta and, in some cases, the liver. When zinc intake was low ( ZnT-1 > ZnT-4. These data provide evidence that, in an animal model, zinc transporter expression is responsive to zinc under physiologically relevant conditions.