Human genetic variants in SLC39A8 impact uptake and steady-state metal levels within the cell

The human SLC39A8 (hSLC39A8) gene encodes a plasma membrane protein SLC39A8 (ZIP8) that mediates the specific uptake of the metals Cd²⁺, Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, and Se⁴⁺ Pathogenic variants within hSLC39A8 are associated with congenital disorder of glycosylation type 2 (CDG type II) or Leigh-like syndrome. However, numerous mutations of uncertain significance are also linked to different conditions or benign traits. Our study characterized 21 hSLC39A8 variants and measured their impact on protein localization and intracellular levels of Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Mn²⁺ .