LIV-1 breast cancer protein belongs to new family of histidine-rich membrane proteins with potential to control intracellular Zn2+ homeostasis.

Investigation of the protein product of the oestrogen-regulated gene LIV-1, implicated in metastatic breast cancer, has revealed 10 protein sequences of unknown function that belong to a new family with potential to control intracellular Zn2+ homeostasis. Sequence alignment highlights the similarity in transmembrane domains and extramembrane charged residues, indicating potential ion-transport ability. This family has a novel highly conserved motif of 66 residues, including a transmembrane domain and a catalytic zinc-binding sequence of zinc metalloproteases, containing conserved (indicated in bold type) proline and glutamine residues, HEXPHEXGD. These proteins contain more plentiful histidine-rich repeats than zinc transporters, suggesting an ability to bind or transport zinc across membranes. I propose that these 11 proteins form a new family with the potential to control intracellular Zn2+ homeostasis.