Human ZnT-8 Antibody

ZnT-8 (Zinc Transporter 8; also SLC30A8) is a 35-40 kDa member of the SLC (solute carrier)-30A subfamily, CDF family of proteins. It is expressed by pancreatic beta ‑cells and alpha -cells, B cells, and adipocytes, and is known to play a role in Zn transport. In particular, ZnT-8 appears to transport zinc from the cytosol into secretory vesicles which, in the case of beta -cells, provides a necessary component for proper insulin processing and granule storage. Further, it appears to facilitate glucose‑mediated insulin release. Human ZnT-8 is a multipass transmembrane (TM) protein that is 369 amino acids (aa) in length. It contains an N-terminal cytoplasmic region (aa 1-79) followed by six TM segments (aa 80-266) and a 103 aa C-terminal cytoplasmic tail. There is a key His-rich motif in the second cytoplasmic loop (aa 197‑205). ZnT-8 forms homodimers, and possibly oligomers. There is one alternative start site at Met50. Over aa 268-359, human ZnT-8 shares 79% aa sequence identity with mouse ZnT-8.