ZnT1 is a member of the SLC30 family of zinc transporters which promotes the influx of zinc ions into synaptic vesicles of glutamatergic neurons from the cytoplasm, intracellular organelles, and from the extracellular milieu.

Zinc plays an essential role in many physiological and pathological conditions such as synaptic plasticity modulation, memory formation and nociception by regulating transmitter receptors and signal transduction pathways. Therefore zinc homeostasis is tightly regulated at the cellular and the organismal levels^1,2_.

ZnT1 in mammals is localized primarily on the plasma membrane. Its role is to mediate zinc export to reduce intracellular zinc levels¹_. ZnT1 structure contains a PDZ I motif at the C-terminus and six transmembrane-spanning domains. There is also a (His-Gly)₈ in the large intracellular loop between membrane-spanning regions 4 and 5^2,4_.

ZnT1 expression is ubiquitous and is detected in the intestine, kidney and liver. In the intestine the expression is regional, being much greater in the duodenum and jejunum and in villus versus crypt cells.

The mechanism of ZnT1 regulation is under control of the zinc-responsive transcription factor MTF-1¹_. Research shows that homozygous knockout of the ZnT1 gene is lethal to the foetus³_.