Isolation and characterization of human and mouse ZIRTL, a member of the IRT1 family of transporters, mapping within the epidermal differentiation complex

We report the precise mapping and characterization of ZIRTL (zinc-iron regu lated transporter-like) gene, the first mammalian member of an extensive fa mily of divalent metal ion transporters, comprising IRT1 and ZIP1, ZIP2, ZI P3, and ZIP4 in plants and ZRT1 and ZRT2 in yeast. The human gene maps at t he telomeric end of the epidermal differentiation complex (EDC), within chr omosomal band 1q21, while the mouse gene maps within the mouse EDC, on mous e chromosome 3, between S100A9 and S100A13, The structure of the human gene has been determined, and message was detected in most adult and fetal tiss ues including the epidermis. The mouse gene is developmentally regulated an d found expressed in fetal and adult suprabasal epidermis, osteoblasts, sma ll intestine, and salivary gland. (C) 1999 Academic Press.