A role for zinc transporter gene SLC39A12 in the nervous system and beyond.

The SLC39A12 gene encodes the zinc transporter protein ZIP12, which is expressed across many tissues and is highly abundant in the vertebrate nervous system. As a zinc transporter, ZIP12 functions to transport zinc across cellular membranes, including cellular zinc influx across the plasma membrane. Genome-wide association and exome sequencing studies have shown that brain susceptibility-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) intensity is associated with ZIP12 polymorphisms and rare mutations.

Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Phenome-Wide Association Study With Metal Transporter Gene .

The gene encodes a divalent metal transporter, ZIP8. is associated with pleiotropic effects across multiple tissues, including the brain. We determine the different brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) phenotypes associated with We used a phenome-wide association study approach followed by joint and conditional association analysis.