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XB-ART-48620
Commun Integr Biol 2013 Nov 01;66:e26207. doi: 10.4161/cib.26207.
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A zinc transporter gene required for development of the nervous system.

Chowanadisai W , Graham DM , Keen CL , Rucker RB , Messerli MA .


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The essentiality of zinc for normal brain development is well established. It has been suggested that primary and secondary zinc deficiencies can contribute to the occurrence of numerous human birth defects, including many involving the central nervous system. In a recent study, we searched for zinc transporter genes that were critical for neurodevelopment. We confirmed that ZIP12 is a zinc transporter encoded by the gene slc39a12 that is highly expressed in the central nervous systems of human, mouse, and frog (Xenopus tropicalis).Using loss-of-function methods, we determined that ZIP12 is required for neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth and necessary for neurulation and embryonic viability. These results highlight an essential need for zinc regulation during embryogenesis and nervous system development. We suggest that slc39a12 is a candidate gene for inherited neurodevelopmental defects in humans.

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Species referenced: Xenopus tropicalis
Genes referenced: creb1 slc39a12


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References [+] :
Aydemir, Zinc transporter ZIP8 (SLC39A8) and zinc influence IFN-gamma expression in activated human T cells. 2009, Pubmed