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AAT Bioquest

Are zinc transporters involved in Alzheimer's disease?

Posted April 14, 2022


Answer

Yes, zinc transporters are involved in Alzheimer’s disease. 

Zinc is an essential trace element that is critical to the proper functioning of the central nervous system. Altered zinc homeostasis is a risk factor for the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Zinc transporters help maintain zinc homeostasis by loading zinc into the intracellular space and pumping zinc out of the cytoplasm. Abundant expression or abnormal distribution of zinc transporters results in altered zinc homeostasis, which is connected to the formation of senile plaques in Alzheimer’s disease. 

Additional resources

Zinc and Alzheimer's disease: is there a direct link?

Amplite™ Colorimetric Zinc Ion Quantitation Kit