ZIP4 Antibody

The zinc transporter ZIP4, also known as SLC39A4, is a member of a family of divalent ion transporters. Zinc is an essential ion for cells and plays significant roles in the growth, development, and differentiation. ZIP4 was initially identified as zinc-uptake transporter in the intestine and as a candidate gene for acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE), a rare inherited defect in the absorption of dietary zinc. Similar to other ZIP family members, aberrant expression of ZIP4 has been linked to cancer, specifically the progression and aggressiveness of pancreatic cancer. ZIP4 expression has also been shown to be activated in hepatocellular carcinomas, acting to repress apoptosis, enhance cell cycle and increase migration, suggesting ZIP4 may play a role in multiple types of cancers.