The ZIP family consists of zinc transport proteins and many putative metal transporters. The main contribution to this family is from the Arabidopsis thaliana ZIP protein family these proteins are responsible for zinc uptake in the plant [1]. Also found within this family are C. elegans proteins of unknown function which are annotated as being similar to human growth arrest inducible gene product, although this protein in not found within this family.

1: Identification of a family of zinc transporter genes from Arabidopsis that respond to zinc deficiency. Grotz N, Fox T, Connolly E, Park W, Guerinot ML, Eide D; Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1998;95:7220-7224. PMID:9618566