| Description |
ZIP1, also known as ZIRTL (zinc-iron regulated transporter-like), is the first mammalian member of a family of divalent ion transporters. Zinc is an essential ion for cells and plays significant roles in the growth, development, and differentiation. ZIP1 expression is markedly downregulated in a number of cancerous tissues and is thought to function as a tumor suppressor gene in prostate cancer. More recent studies have shown that overexpression of ZIP1 and concomitant increased levels of intracellular zinc in PC-3 cells cause a significant inhibition of NF-kappaB, leading to down-regulation of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, and the apoptosis inhibitor XIAP, reducing the malignant potential of prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.
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