Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： 10.1016/j.biochi.2025.11.008

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Authorship：Lead author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：MDPI AG  

Zinc transporters take up/release zinc ions (Zn2+) across biological membranes and maintain intracellular and intra-organellar Zn2+ homeostasis. Since this process requires a series of conformational changes in the transporters, detailed information about the structures of different reaction intermediates is required for a comprehensive understanding of their Zn2+ transport mechanisms. Recently, various Zn2+ transport systems have been identified in bacteria, yeasts, plants, and humans. Based on structural analyses of human ZnT7, human ZnT8, and bacterial YiiP, we propose updated models explaining their mechanisms of action to ensure efficient Zn2+ transport. We place particular focus on the mechanistic roles of the histidine-rich loop shared by several zinc transporters, which facilitates Zn2+ recruitment to the transmembrane Zn2+-binding site. This review provides an extensive overview of the structures, mechanisms, and physiological functions of zinc transporters in different biological kingdoms.

DOI： 10.3390/ijms25053045

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Authorship：Lead author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Springer Science and Business Media LLC  

Abstract

Zinc ions (Zn²⁺) are vital to most cells, with the intracellular concentrations of Zn²⁺ being tightly regulated by multiple zinc transporters located at the plasma and organelle membranes. We herein present the 2.2-3.1 Å-resolution cryo-EM structures of a Golgi-localized human Zn²⁺/H⁺ antiporter ZnT7 (hZnT7) in Zn²⁺-bound and unbound forms. Cryo-EM analyses show that hZnT7 exists as a dimer via tight interactions in both the cytosolic and transmembrane (TM) domains of two protomers, each of which contains a single Zn²⁺-binding site in its TM domain. hZnT7 undergoes a TM-helix rearrangement to create a negatively charged cytosolic cavity for Zn²⁺ entry in the inward-facing conformation and widens the luminal cavity for Zn²⁺ release in the outward-facing conformation. An exceptionally long cytosolic histidine-rich loop characteristic of hZnT7 binds two Zn²⁺ ions, seemingly facilitating Zn²⁺ recruitment to the TM metal transport pathway. These structures permit mechanisms of hZnT7-mediated Zn²⁺ uptake into the Golgi to be proposed.

DOI： 10.1038/s41467-023-40521-5

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Other Link： https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-40521-5

Authorship：Lead author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Springer Science and Business Media LLC  

DOI： 10.1007/s40093-014-0048-0

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Other Link： http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40093-014-0048-0.pdf

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

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Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

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Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

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