In silico identification and expression of SLC30 family genes: An expressed sequence tag data mining strategy for the characterization of zinc transporters' tissue expression

BACKGROUND: Intracellular zinc concentration and localization are strictly regulated by two main protein components, metallothioneins and membrane transporters. In mammalian cells, two membrane transporters family are involved in intracellular zinc homeostasis: the uptake transporters called SLC39 or Zip family and the efflux transporters called SLC30 or ZnT family. ZnT proteins are members of the cation diffusion facilitator (CDF) family of metal ion transporters. RESULTS: From genomic databanks analysis, we identified the full-length sequences of two novel SLC30 genes, SLC30A8 and SLC30A10, extending the SLC30 family to ten members. We used an expressed sequence tag (EST) data mining strategy to determine the pattern of ZnT genes expression in tissues. In silico results obtained for already studied ZnT sequences were compared to experimental data, previously published. We determined an overall good correlation with expression pattern obtained by RT-PCR or immunomethods, particularly for highly tissue specific genes. CONCLUSION: The method presented herein provides a useful tool to complete gene families from sequencing programs and to produce preliminary expression data to select the proper biological samples for laboratory experimentation

In vivo expression and functional characterization of the zinc transporter ZnT8 in glucose-induced insulin secretion.

International audienceInsulin-secreting pancreatic beta cells are exceptionally rich in zinc. In these cells, zinc is required for zinc-insulin crystallization within secretory vesicles. Secreted zinc has also been proposed to be a paracrine and autocrine modulator of glucagon and insulin secretion in pancreatic alpha and beta cells, respectively. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying zinc accumulation in insulin-containing vesicles. We previously identified a pancreas-specific zinc transporter, ZnT-8, which colocalized with insulin in cultured beta cells. In this paper we studied its localization in human pancreatic islet cells, and its effect on cellular zinc content and insulin secretion. In human pancreatic islet cells, ZnT-8 was exclusively expressed in insulin-producing beta cells, and colocalized with insulin in these cells. ZnT-8 overexpression stimulated zinc accumulation and increased total intracellular zinc in insulin-secreting INS-1E cells. Furthermore, ZnT-8-overexpressing cells display enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion compared with control cells, only for a high glucose challenge, i.e. >10 mM glucose. Altogether, these data strongly suggest that the zinc transporter ZnT-8 is a key protein for both zinc accumulation and regulation of insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells

Etude et caractérisation de l'expression de nouveaux transporteurs de zinc de la famille ZnT chez les mammifères

Le zinc est un oligo-élément essentiel pour la vie. Le zinc n'est pas seulement un nutriment important, ou un cofacteur de nombreuses enzymes et de facteurs de transcription, il est désormais considéré comme un médiateur intracellulaire. L'homéostasie du zinc résulte de la coordination de diverses protéines: les ZIP, les métallothionéines et les ZnT appartenant à la famille CDF. Le récent décryptage du génome humain a permis d'identifier de nouveaux gènes, ainsi nous avons pu caractériser deux nouveaux gènes de la famille SLC30, nommés SLC30A8 et SLC30A JO. L 'homéostasie du zinc est maintenue par l'action de ces protéines dont la transcription est ellemême dépendante en partie de la concentration en zinc extracellulaire. En cas de carence, les taux de transcription de ZnT -S,-Sc et 7 sont augmentés. Ces transporteurs, que nous avons localisés au niveau de l'appareil de Golgi, pourraient permettre aux protéines néo-synthétisées l'apport en zinc nécessaire à leur fonctionnalité. Nous avons également montré que la protéine ZnT-8 est un transporteur du zinc spécifique des cellules sécrétrices d'insuline, localisé au niveau même des vésicules contenant l'insuline, et dont la régulation de la transcription, tout comme l'insuline, est dépendante du taux de glucose extracellulaire. Le zinc est impliqué dans tous les aspects métaboliques et structuraux des différents compartiments cellulaires. C'est pourquoi la connaissance de ce contrôle cellulaire du zinc est indispensable à une modélisation et à une compréhension du fonctionnement de la cellule.GRENOBLE1-BU Sciences (384212103) / SudocSudocFranceF

Differential regulation of zinc efflux transporters ZnT-1, ZnT-5 and ZnT-7 gene expression by zinc levels: a real-time RT–PCR study

International audienc

In vivo expression and functional characterization of the zinc transporter ZnT8 in glucose-induced insulin secretion

Insulin-secreting pancreatic beta cells are exceptionally rich in zinc. In these cells, zinc is required for zinc-insulin crystallization within secretory vesicles. Secreted zinc has also been proposed to be a paracrine and autocrine modulator of glucagon and insulin secretion in pancreatic alpha and beta cells, respectively. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying zinc accumulation in insulin-containing vesicles. We previously identified a pancreas-specific zinc transporter, ZnT-8, which colocalized with insulin in cultured beta cells. In this paper we studied its localization in human pancreatic islet cells, and its effect on cellular zinc content and insulin secretion. In human pancreatic islet cells, ZnT-8 was exclusively expressed in insulin-producing beta cells, and colocalized with insulin in these cells. ZnT-8 overexpression stimulated zinc accumulation and increased total intracellular zinc in insulin-secreting INS-1E cells. Furthermore, ZnT-8-overexpressing cells display enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion compared with control cells, only for a high glucose challenge, i.e. >10 mM glucose. Altogether, these data strongly suggest that the zinc transporter ZnT-8 is a key protein for both zinc accumulation and regulation of insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells.status: publishe