Sandbox Reserved 1069: Difference between revisions

Zinc transporter YiiP is an integral membrane protein found in the membrane of Esherichia coli. YiiP is a member of the  [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cation_diffusion_facilitator cation diffusion facilitator family]. Members of this family occur all throughout the biological realm. These diffusion facilitators export divalent transition metal ions from the cytoplasm to the extracellular space [https://www.bnl.gov/isd/documents/71335.pdf]. They work to regulate the amount of divalent metals inside of the cell, which is biologically relevant because while these metals are necessary for different biological functions, they can prove fatal to the cell in excess amounts. Zinc is essential for the growth and development of cells and zinc levels can affect everything from gene expression to immune response. Zinc transporters help keep homeostatic balance of zinc in cells and excessive zinc concentrations have been noted in cases of high beta-amyloid deposition contributing to Alzheimer's disease (CITE: http://science.sciencemag.org/content/317/5845/1746.full While YiiP is an integral membrane protein in the cells of Escherichia coli, understanding the mechanism of regulation behind it can help researcher's better understand the cation diffusion facilitator equivalents in eukaryotic cells.