The ZIP family of metal transporters

Members of the ZIP gene family, a novel metal transporter family first iden tified in plants, are capable of transporting a variety of cations, includi ng cadmium, iron, manganese and zinc. Information on where in the plant eac h of the ZIP transporters functions and how each is controlled in response to nutrient availability may allow the manipulation of plant mineral status with an eye to (1) creating food crops with enhanced mineral content, and (2) developing crops that bioaccumulate or exclude toxic metals. (C) 2000 E lsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.