SLC39A4
Description
The SLC39A4 (solute carrier family 39 member 4) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 8.
SLC39A4 (ZIP4) is a transmembrane protein involved in zinc transport. It is associated with acrodermatitis enteropathica, a genetic disorder caused by zinc deficiency.
SLC39A4 is a zinc transporter that mediates the uptake of Zn(2+). It plays an essential role in dietary zinc absorption from the small intestine. The activity of this transporter is regulated by zinc availability. SLC39A4 also exhibits polyspecific binding and transport of Cu(2+), Cd(2+) and possibly Ni(2+) but at higher concentrations.
SLC39A4 is also known as AEZ, AWMS2, ZIP4.