Slc30a7, also known as ZnT7, is a zinc transporter belonging to the SLC30 family. It is involved in transporting cytoplasmic zinc into the Golgi apparatus for storage or incorporation into zinc-requiring enzymes/proteins. It plays a role in multiple biological processes, and its associated pathways include NFE2L2/HMOX1, which is related to anti-oxidant stress response [1].

In gene-knockout studies, Znt7-deficient mice showed reduced body zinc status, decreased zinc absorption in the gut, and lower body fat accumulation [4]. Deletion of Slc30a7 alone in mice had complex effects on in vivo glucose metabolism, impairing glucose tolerance and reducing related parameters such as plasma insulin and hepatic glycogen levels, while combined deletion of Slc30a7 and Slc30a8 abolished glucose-stimulated insulin secretion [3]. In addition, knockdown of SLC30A7 in human cells led to lower intracellular free zinc levels and affected apoptosis and pyroptosis in high-glucose-induced models [1,2].

In conclusion, Slc30a7 is essential for dietary zinc absorption, regulation of body adiposity, and glucose metabolism. Its function in anti-oxidant stress, apoptosis, and pyroptosis regulation, as revealed through model-based research, is also significant. Gene-knockout mouse models of Slc30a7 have provided insights into its role in diabetes-related complications such as diabetic kidney disease and retinopathy, as well as in growth-related disorders [1,2,3,4].

References:

1. Zhang, Xiuli, Guan, Tingwen, Yang, Boxuan, Wan, Qijun, Gu, Harvest F. 2020. SLC30A7 has anti-oxidant stress effects in high glucose-induced apoptosis via the NFE2L2/HMOX1 signal transduction pathway. In Diabetes research and clinical practice, 172, 108445. doi:10.1016/j.diabres.2020.108445. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32949653/

2. Li, Weina, Yang, Sheng, Chen, Guangsheng, He, Shiping. . MiR-200c-3p regulates pyroptosis by targeting SLC30A7 in diabetic retinopathy. In Human & experimental toxicology, 41, 9603271221099589. doi:10.1177/09603271221099589. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35607288/

3. Syring, Kristen E, Boortz, Kayla A, Oeser, James K, Powell, David R, O'Brien, Richard M. 2016. Combined Deletion of Slc30a7 and Slc30a8 Unmasks a Critical Role for ZnT8 in Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion. In Endocrinology, 157, 4534-4541. doi:. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27754787/

4. Huang, Liping, Yu, Yan Yiu, Kirschke, Catherine P, Gertz, Erik R, Lloyd, Kent K C. 2007. Znt7 (Slc30a7)-deficient mice display reduced body zinc status and body fat accumulation. In The Journal of biological chemistry, 282, 37053-63. doi:. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17954933/