SLC30A9

SLC30A9, also known as ZnT9, is a human gene encoding a member of the solute carrier 30 (SLC30) family of zinc transporters. Proteins in this family regulate cellular zinc homeostasis by transporting zinc across membranes, either sequestering zinc into intracellular organelles or exporting it from the cytosol, thereby shaping zinc availability for enzymes and signaling pathways.

The SLC30A9 protein is predicted to be a multi-pass transmembrane transporter. Reports on its precise subcellular localization vary, but several studies have placed ZnT9 in components of the intracellular secretory pathway, such as the Golgi- or endosomal membranes, with additional data suggesting mitochondrial or endoplasmic reticulum associations in specific cell types.

Expression data indicate that SLC30A9 is detectable in multiple human tissues; however, exact expression levels differ across datasets and tissues. Available information underscores a role for ZnT9 in maintaining intracellular zinc distribution rather than a single tissue-specific function.

Functional evidence remains limited and sometimes context-dependent. In model systems, perturbing SLC30A9 expression can alter intracellular zinc pools and affect zinc-dependent processes, implicating ZnT9 in broader zinc homeostasis and related signaling pathways. Further work is needed to define its physiological roles and regulatory mechanisms.

Clinical relevance is not yet established with high confidence. No disease-causing mutations have been definitively linked to SLC30A9 in humans, although disruptions of zinc homeostasis are linked to various disorders, suggesting potential relevance that warrants further study.