Zinc, an essential element required for cell proliferation and differentiation, plays a role in a diverse array of cellular functions, including acting as a cofactor for numerous enzymes and transcription factors and as a neuroregulator.

The zinc transporter (ZnT) family regulates the supply of zinc within cells, and its members are characterized by containing six membrane-spanning domains, a large histidine-rich intracellular loop, and a C-terminal tail.

ZnT-1, a ubiquitous protein of approximately 60 kDa, localizes to the plasma membrane to aid in the export of zinc out of cells.