Zinc transporter ZIP13 and diseases

Zinc is an important regulator of various biological processes such as protein synthesis, cell proliferation, migration and autophagy. The zinc transporter ZIP13 (SLC39A13) is a homodimeric metal transporter functioning in transport of zinc, iron, and calcium plasma in body. ZIP13 is involved in disease by regulating zinc homeostasis, such as the key role of ZIP13 in connective tissue development because it is involved in the BMP/TGF-β signaling pathway. ZIP13 promotes the metastasis of human ovarian cancer cells by activating the Src/FAK signaling pathway and ZIP13 inhibits the biogenesis and energy expenditure of beige adipocytes by regulating C/EBP-β expression.