Disease relevance of SLC39A7

• HLA-A2402 restricted and tumor specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (KE4) used in cloning of the SART3 gene were significantly cytotoxic to cells from renal cell carcinoma cell lines and primary cultures of renal cell carcinoma tissue but they did not lyse normal cells, including those from primary cultures of nontumorous kidney tissue [1].
• EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Expression of HER-2/neu protein by four esophageal squamous cancer cell lines (KE4, TE8, TE9, and TE10) and an esophageal adenocarcinoma cell line (SKGT4) was assessed using immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis and flow cytometry [2].
• RESULTS: Nine eyes developed corneal iron ring 5 to 8 months (mean 6.25 months +/- 1.3 [SD]) after PRK for hyperopia [3].
• Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (TE8, TE9 and KE4) were exposed to flavopiridol (0.05-400 nmol/L) for 48 h [4].

High impact information on SLC39A7

• Without stimulation, TNF mRNA was barely detected in four T cell lines (CEM, KE4, MT-1, and SKW-3) and not detectable in Molt-4 and Jurkat cells, while a considerable amount of TNF mRNA was observed in HSB-2 cells [5].
• However, the precise function of ZIP7 in cellular zinc homeostasis is not clear [6].
• Transient expression of the V5-tagged human ZIP7 fusion protein in CHO cells led to elevation of the cytoplasmic zinc level [6].
• Moreover, by using the yeast mutant strain Deltazrt3 that was defective in release of stored zinc from vacuoles, we found that ZIP7 was able to decrease the level of accumulated zinc and in the meantime to increase the nuclear/cytoplasmic labile zinc level in the ZIP7-expressing zrt3 mutant [6].
• We showed that the protein expression of ZIP7 was repressed under zinc-rich condition, whereas there were no effects of zinc on ZIP7 gene expression and intracellular localization [6].

Biological context of SLC39A7

• The genomic sequence of a 42,801-bp long region encoded by one cosmid clone in the RING1, HKE6, and HKE4 subregions was determined by the shotgun method [7].
• cDNA clones corresponding to the HKE4 and HKE6 genes at the centromeric end of the HLA region on human chromosome 6p21.3 were isolated and characterized [8].
• This result, in combination with the crucial role that zinc plays in cell growth, emphasizes the importance of this new LZT subfamily, including the KE4 sequences, in the control of intracellular zinc homoeostasis, aberrations of which can lead to diseases such as cancer, immunological disorders and neurological dysfunction [9].
• Extended metaphase and prometaphase chromosome preparations using G-, R- and Q-banding and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) failed to demonstrate deletion in the ring 5 [10].
• Furthermore, adenovirus-mediated expression of exogenous p21Waf-1 effectively reduced cell growth in KE3 and TE9 (high CGR cell lines), but not in KE4 and TE11 (low CGR cell lines). p21Waf-1-mediated growth suppression was associated with the induction of involucrin, a marker of squamous cell differentiation [11].

Associations of SLC39A7 with chemical compounds

• Moreover, exposure to 0.05 nmol/L flavopiridol slightly decreased the levels of cyclin D1, Rb and Bcl-2 protein in KE4 cells [4].

Other interactions of SLC39A7

• Structure-function analysis of HKE4, a member of the new LIV-1 subfamily of zinc transporters [9].
• HKE4 may encode a membrane protein with histidine-rich charge clusters [8].

References