Zinc transporter ZIP13 in mesenchymal tissues: From intracellular metal distribution to systemic homeostasis.

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Zinc is an essential trace element that plays pivotal roles in development, immunity, inflammation, and aging. Precise regulation of intracellular zinc distribution is mediated by zinc transporters of the ZIP (SLC39) and ZnT (SLC30) families, and their functions are increasingly recognized as tissue- and organelle-specific. Among these transporters, ZIP13 (SLC39A13) is a key regulator of mesenchymal biology. Genetic studies have demonstrated that loss of ZIP13 function causes connective tissue abnormalities, impaired bone and tooth development, and spondylodysplastic Ehlers-Danlos syndrome Type 3 in humans. ZIP13 is predominantly localized to the Golgi apparatus, where it regulates metal homeostasis and modulates zinc-dependent signalling pathways, including transforming growth factor beta and bone morphogenic protein signalling. Recent studies have expanded the functional landscape of ZIP13 beyond connective tissues, demonstrating its involvement in adipose tissue biology, skeletal muscle maintenance, cardiac homeostasis, and stem cell differentiation. In addition, patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell models have provided new insights into ZIP13-dependent mesenchymal differentiation and regenerative biology. Emerging evidence indicates that ZIP13 can transport not only zinc but also iron, suggesting that ZIP13 functions as a metal distributor that regulates intracellu

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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