ZinT plays a critical role in recruiting periplasmic zinc to the bacterial zinc-uptake complex ZnuABC, consisting of families Pfam:PF01297,Pfam:PF00950, Pfam:PF00005, regulated by the transcription-regulator FUR, Pfam:PF01475 [2,3]. ZinT acts as a Zn2+-buffering protein that delivers Zn2+ to ZnuA (TroA), Pfam:PF01297 [4]. Members of this family of prokaryotic domains were first identified as part of the response of bacteria to a challenge with the toxic heavy metal cadmium. They are able to bind to cadmium, and ensure its subsequent elimination [1].

1: YodA from Escherichia coli is a metal-binding, lipocalin-like protein. David G, Blondeau K, Schiltz M, Penel S, Lewit-Bentley A; J Biol Chem. 2003;278:43728-43735. PMID:12909634

2: Zinc dependence of zinT (yodA) mutants and binding of zinc, cadmium and mercury by ZinT. Kershaw CJ, Brown NL, Hobman JL; Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2007;364:66-71. PMID:17931600

3: Role of ZnuABC and ZinT in Escherichia coli O157:H7 zinc acquisition and interaction with epithelial cells. Gabbianelli R, Scotti R, Ammendola S, Petrarca P, Nicolini L, Battistoni A; BMC Microbiol. 2011;11:36. PMID:21338480

4: The Salmonella enterica ZinT structure, zinc affinity and interaction with the high-affinity uptake protein ZnuA provide insight into the management of periplasmic zinc. Ilari A, Alaleona F, Tria G, Petrarca P, Battistoni A, Zamparelli C, Verzili D, Falconi M, Chiancone E; Biochim Biophys Acta. 2014;1840:535-544. PMID:24128931