| Literature DB >> 24751356 |
Howard W Davidson1, Janet M Wenzlau2, Richard M O'Brien3.
Abstract
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.Entities:
Keywords: SLC30A8; Slc30a8; islet
Mesh:
Substances:
Year: 2014 PMID: 24751356 PMCID: PMC4112161 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2014.03.008
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Trends Endocrinol Metab ISSN: 1043-2760 Impact factor: 12.015