A distinct role in breast cancer for two LIV-1 family zinc transporters

Biochem Soc Trans. 2008 Dec;36(Pt 6):1247-51. doi: 10.1042/BST0361247.

Abstract

Zinc, essential for normal cell growth, is tightly controlled in cells by two families of zinc transporters. The aberrant expression of zinc transporters from the LIV-1 family of ZIP (Zrt/Irt-like protein) transporters is increasingly being implicated in a variety of disease states. In the present paper, I describe a mechanism for the role of ZIP7 in the progression of breast cancer, identifying it as a new target in breast cancer. Furthermore, I document a link between another zinc transporter, LIV-1, and breast cancer metastasis, identifying it as a potential new prognostic indicator of breast cancer spread.

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Carrier Proteins / chemistry
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cation Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects
  • Estrogens / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Zinc / metabolism

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cation Transport Proteins
  • Estrogens
  • SLC39A7 protein, human
  • zinc-binding protein
  • Zinc