Research Progress on the Role and Mechanism of Zinc and Zinc Transporters in Malignant Tumors

VernacularTitle:锌及锌转运体在恶性肿瘤中的作用及机制研究进展
Author: Zilong WU ¹ ; Yongqiang YANG ; Jun XUE
Author Information

1. 华中科技大学同济医学院附属协和医院肿瘤中心,武汉 430024
Keywords: cancer; zinc; zinc transporters
From: Acta Medicinae Universitatis Scientiae et Technologiae Huazhong 2024;53(5):698-704
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Zinc ions are the most abundant trace elements in the human body,second only to iron.They function as critical second messengers in cells and are essential for maintaining the normal structure and function of proteins.Consequently,they are involved in a range of vital cellular processes,including cell cycle progression and division.The regulation of the intracellular zinc ion balance primarily depends on two major families of metal transporters:ZnT(SLC30 A)and ZIP(SLC39 A).In the con-text of cancer,the disruption of zinc ion homeostasis and the abnormal expression of zinc transporters are closely linked to tu-morigenesis and cancer progression.However,varying findings among studies regarding the specific roles of zinc ions and zinc transporters in cancer present a significant challenge for the development and clinical application of therapies targeting zinc ion homeostasis.This paper provides a comprehensive review and analysis of the functions of zinc ions and zinc transporters in canc-er,along with an overview of emerging therapeutic strategies targeting zinc ion homeostasis.