PICK1蛋白C端酸性区域对其功能的调节

蛋白激酶C相互作用蛋白1(protein interacting with Ckinase1,PICK1)是调节AMPA(alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid)受体在细胞膜上的数量与分布,引起LTP与LTD现象的重要蛋白.本文利用基因克隆、荧光光谱以及免疫分析等方法,分析了PICK1蛋白C末端酸性区对BAR结构域与膜脂结合能力以及PICK1分子内BAR(Bin/amphiphysin/RVS)结构域与PDZ结构域相互作用的影响,研究了钙离子结合C末端酸性区后对上述相互作用的调节.结果显示,C末端酸性区的存在使BAR结构域与膜脂的结合能力减弱大约10倍,但PICK1分子内的BAR与PDZ结构域的相互作用与不含C末端的酸性区相比增强了大约4倍.另一方面,C末端酸性区的存在,伴随钙离子浓度的提高,有助于增强BAR与膜脂的结合,却削弱了PDZ和BAR结构域的作用.当钙离子浓度增加到500μmol/L时,BARC的脂质结合能力以及和PDZ的亲和力与不含酸性区相当.     

PICK1中N端酸性区域对其PDZ结构域脂质结合能力的调节

蛋白激酶Cα相互作用蛋白1(protein interacting with Cα kinase 1, PICK1)是衔接膜上受体和蛋白激酶Cα的重要蛋白.利用荧光光谱结合定点突变技术 、蛋白与脂质覆盖法等方法,分析了PICK1蛋白N末端区域几个酸性氨基酸残基对PDZ 结构域与膜脂结合的影响,以及钙离子结合N末端酸性区域对PDZ脂结合能力的调节. 结果显示, 带有上游酸性区域的PDZ结构域（NPDZ）的脂质结合能力仅相当PDZ结构 域的15%,相比单独的PDZ结构域与脂质的解离常数Kd(PDZ)为1.58×103 μg·L-1, NPDZ与脂质解离常数Kd(NPDZ)为3.3×104μg·L-1,其中在N末端酸性残基中D8与 D12两个天冬氨酸是影响脂质结合能力减弱的关键残基,若将二者分别突变为丙氨酸 后,NPDZ与脂质的解离常数分别为：Kd (D8/A)=4.42×103μg·L-1;Kd (D12/A) =1.73×103μg·L-1接近于PDZ结构域与脂质结合能力;钙离子会增强NPDZ脂结合能力,当钙离子浓度达到30 μmol/L时,NPDZ的脂结合能力提高2.3倍,但只相当于PDZ的50% 的结合能力.     

PICK1 interacts with ABP/GRIP to regulate AMPA receptor trafficking

PICK1 and ABP/GRIP bind to the AMPA receptor (AMPAR) GluR2 subunit C terminus. Transfer of the receptor from ABP/GRIP to PICK1, facilitated by GluR2 S880 phosphorylation, may initiate receptor trafficking. Here we report protein interactions that regulate these steps. The PICK1 BAR domain interacts intermolecularly with the ABP/GRIP linker II region and intramolecularly with the PICK1 PDZ domain. Binding of PKCalpha or GluR2 to the PICK1 PDZ domain disrupts the intramolecular interaction and facilitates the PICK1 BAR domain association with ABP/GRIP. Interference with the PICK1-ABP/GRIP interaction impairs S880 phosphorylation of GluR2 by PKC and decreases the constitutive surface expression of GluR2, the NMDA-induced endocytosis of GluR2, and recycling of internalized GluR2. We suggest that the PICK1 interaction with ABP/GRIP is a critical step in controlling GluR2 trafficking.     

PICK1 is implicated in organelle motility in an Arp2/3 complex–independent manner

PICK1 is a modular scaffold implicated in synaptic receptor trafficking. It features a PDZ domain, a BAR domain, and an acidic C-terminal tail (ACT). Analysis by small- angle x-ray scattering suggests a structural model that places the receptor-binding site of the PDZ domain and membrane-binding surfaces of the BAR and PDZ domains adjacent to each other on the concave side of the banana-shaped PICK1 dimer. In the model, the ACT of one subunit of the dimer interacts with the PDZ and BAR domains of the other subunit, possibly accounting for autoinhibition. Consistently, full-length PICK1 shows diffuse cytoplasmic localization, but it clusters on vesicle-like structures that colocalize with the trans-Golgi network marker TGN38 upon deletion of either the ACT or PDZ domain. This localization is driven by the BAR domain. Live-cell imaging further reveals that PICK1-associated vesicles undergo fast, nondirectional motility in an F-actin–dependent manner, but deleting the ACT dramatically reduces vesicle speed. Thus the ACT links PICK1-associated vesicles to a motility factor, likely myosin, but, contrary to previous reports, PICK1 neither binds nor inhibits Arp2/3 complex.     

Membrane localization is critical for activation of the PICK1 BAR domain

The PSD-95/Discs-large/ZO-1 homology (PDZ) domain protein, protein interacting with C kinase 1 (PICK1) contains a C-terminal Bin/amphiphysin/Rvs (BAR) domain mediating recognition of curved membranes; however, the molecular mechanisms controlling the activity of this domain are poorly understood. In agreement with negative regulation of the BAR domain by the N-terminal PDZ domain, PICK1 distributed evenly in the cytoplasm, whereas truncation of the PDZ domain caused BAR domain-dependent redistribution to clusters colocalizing with markers of recycling endosomal compartments. A similar clustering was observed both upon truncation of a short putative α-helical segment in the linker between the PDZ and the BAR domains and upon coexpression of PICK1 with a transmembrane PDZ ligand, including the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor GluR2 subunit, the GluR2 C-terminus transferred to the single transmembrane protein Tac or the dopamine transporter C-terminus transferred to Tac. In contrast, transfer of the GluR2 C-terminus to cyan fluorescent protein, a cytosolic protein, did not elicit BAR domain-dependent clustering. Instead, localizing PICK1 to the membrane by introducing an N-terminal myristoylation site produced BAR domain-dependent, but ligand-independent, PICK1 clustering. The data support that in the absence of PDZ ligand, the PICK1 BAR domain is inhibited through a PDZ domain-dependent and linker-dependent mechanism. Moreover, they suggest that unmasking of the BAR domain's membrane-binding capacity is not a consequence of ligand binding to the PDZ domain per se but results from, and coincides with, recruitment of PICK1 to a membrane compartment.     

Protein interacting with C kinase 1 (PICK1) reduces reinsertion rates of interaction partners sorted to Rab11-dependent slow recycling pathway

The scaffolding protein PICK1 (protein interacting with C kinase 1) contains an N-terminal PSD-95/Discs large/ZO-1 (PDZ) domain and a central lipid-binding Bin/amphiphysin/Rvs (BAR) domain. PICK1 is thought to regulate trafficking of its PDZ binding partners but different and even opposing functions have been suggested. Here, we apply ELISA-based assays and confocal microscopy in HEK293 cells with inducible PICK1 expression to assess in an isolated system the ability of PICK1 to regulate trafficking of natural and engineered PDZ binding partners. The dopamine transporter (DAT), which primarily sorts to degradation upon internalization, did not form perinuclear clusters with PICK1, and PICK1 did not affect DAT internalization/recycling. However, transfer of the PICK1-binding DAT C terminus to the β(2)-adrenergic receptor, which sorts to recycling upon internalization, led to formation of PICK1 co-clusters in Rab11-positive compartments. Furthermore, PICK1 inhibited Rab11-mediated recycling of the receptor in a BAR and PDZ domain-dependent manner. In contrast, transfer of the DAT C terminus to the δ-opioid receptor, which sorts to degradation, did not result in PICK1 co-clusters or any change in internalization/recycling. Further support for a role of PICK1 determined by its PDZ cargo was obtained for the PICK1 interaction partner prolactin-releasing peptide receptor (GPR10). GPR10 co-localized with Rab11 and clustered with PICK1 upon constitutive internalization but co-localized with the late endosomal marker Rab7 and did not cluster with PICK1 upon agonist-induced internalization. Our data suggest a selective role of PICK1 in clustering and reducing the recycling rates of PDZ domain binding partners sorted to the Rab11-dependent recycling pathway.     

Structure and function of PICK1

PICK1 is a peripheral membrane protein conserved from Caenorhabditis elegans to the human. It is expressed in many tissues with high levels in brain and testis. Inside cells, PICK1 is localized at the perinuclear region as well as specialized structures such as synapses of neurons. PICK1 contains a PDZ domain and a BAR domain. The PDZ domain of PICK1 binds to a large number of membrane proteins, especially proteins with C-terminal type II PDZ-binding motifs. The BAR domain of PICK1 binds to lipid molecules, mainly phosphoinositides. While the PDZ domain and the linker region of PICK1 enhance BAR domain's lipid binding, the C-terminal region of PICK1 inhibits its lipid binding. PICK1 regulates the subcellular localization and surface expression of its PDZ-binding partners. Lipid binding of PICK1's BAR domain is important for this regulation. With its PDZ domain interacting with membrane proteins and its BAR domain binding to lipids, the unique structure of PICK1 enables it to couple membrane proteins to protein-trafficking machinery.     

Clustering and synaptic targeting of PICK1 requires direct interaction between the PDZ domain and lipid membranes

Protein interacting with c kinase 1 (PICK1) regulates the trafficking of receptors and ion-channels such as AMPA receptors. Traditionally, the PICK1 PDZ domain is regarded as an adaptor capable of binding to receptors trafficked by PICK1, and the lipid-binding BAR domain functions to tether PICK1 directly to membranes. Here, we show that the PICK1 PDZ domain can directly interact with lipid membranes. The PDZ domain and lipid membrane interaction is mediated by both a polybasic amino-acid cluster and a conserved 'Cys-Pro-Cys' motif located away from the peptide ligand-binding groove. Disruption of the PDZ and lipid membrane interaction totally abolished synaptic targeting of PICK1. Although mutation of the CPC motif did not affect the interaction between PICK1 and AMPA receptors, the mutant PICK1 was unable to cluster the GluR2 subunit of the receptor. In neurons, PICK1 containing the same mutation displayed dramatically compromised capacity in the trafficking of AMPA receptors. Taken together, our findings not only uncovered the novel lipid membrane-binding property of the PICK1 PDZ domain, but also provided direct evidence supporting the functional relevance of the PDZ-lipid interaction.     

PDZ binding to the BAR domain of PICK1 is elucidated by coarse-grained molecular dynamics

A key regulator of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptor traffic, PICK1 is known to interact with over 40 other proteins, including receptors, transporters and ionic channels, and to be active mostly as a homodimer. The current lack of a complete PICK1 structure determined at atomic resolution hinders the elucidation of its functional mechanisms. Here, we identify interactions between the component PDZ and BAR domains of PICK1 by calculating possible binding sites for the PDZ domain of PICK1 (PICK1-PDZ) to the homology-modeled, crescent-shaped dimer of the PICK1-BAR domain using multiplexed replica-exchange molecular dynamics (MREMD) and canonical molecular dynamics simulations with the coarse-grained UNRES force field. The MREMD results show that the preferred binding site for the single PDZ domain is the concave cavity of the BAR dimer. A second possible binding site is near the N-terminus of the BAR domain that is linked directly to the PDZ domain. Subsequent short canonical molecular dynamics simulations used to determine how the PICK1-PDZ domain moves to the preferred binding site on the BAR domain of PICK1 revealed that initial hydrophobic interactions drive the progress of the simulated binding. Thus, the concave face of the BAR dimer accommodates the PDZ domain first by weak hydrophobic interactions and then the PDZ domain slides to the center of the concave face, where more favorable hydrophobic interactions take over.     

Protein kinase C regulation of neuronal zinc signaling mediates survival during preconditioning

Sub-lethal activation of cell death processes initiate pro-survival signaling cascades. As intracellular Zn²⁺ liberation mediates neuronal death pathways, we tested whether a sub-lethal increase in free Zn²⁺ could also trigger neuroprotection. Neuronal free Zn²⁺ transiently increased following preconditioning, and was both necessary and sufficient for conferring excitotoxic tolerance. Lethal exposure to NMDA led to a delayed increase in Zn²⁺ that contributed significantly to excitotoxicity in non-preconditioned neurons, but not in tolerant neurons, unless preconditioning-induced free Zn²⁺ was chelated. Thus, preconditioning may trigger the expression of Zn²⁺-regulating processes, which, in turn, prevent subsequent Zn²⁺-mediated toxicity. Indeed, preconditioning increased Zn²⁺-regulated gene expression in neurons. Examination of the molecular signaling mechanism leading to this early Zn²⁺ signal revealed a critical role for protein kinase C (PKC) activity, suggesting that PKC may act directly on the intracellular source of Zn²⁺. We identified a conserved PKC phosphorylation site at serine-32 (S32) of metallothionein (MT) that was important in modulating Zn²⁺-regulated gene expression and conferring excitotoxic tolerance. Importantly, we observed increased PKC-induced serine phosphorylation in immunopurified MT1, but not in mutant MT1(S32A). These results indicate that neuronal Zn²⁺ serves as an important, highly regulated signaling component responsible for the initiation of a neuroprotective pathway.     

Trafficking of α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid Receptor (AMPA) Receptor Subunit GluA2 from the Endoplasmic Reticulum Is Stimulated by a Complex Containing Ca2+/Calmodulin-activated Kinase II (CaMKII) and PICK1 Protein and by Release of Ca2+ from Internal Stores

The GluA2 subunit of the AMPA receptor (AMPAR) dominantly blocks AMPAR Ca²⁺ permeability, and its trafficking to the synapse regulates AMPAR-dependent synapse Ca²⁺ permeability. Here we show that GluA2 trafficking from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the plasma membrane of cultured hippocampal neurons requires Ca²⁺ release from internal stores, the activity of Ca²⁺/calmodulin activated kinase II (CaMKII), and GluA2 interaction with the PDZ protein, PICK1. We show that upon Ca²⁺ release from the ER via the IP3 and ryanodine receptors, CaMKII that is activated enters a complex that contains PICK1, dependent upon the PICK1 BAR (Bin-amphiphysin-Rvs) domain, and that interacts with the GluA2 C-terminal domain and stimulates GluA2 ER exit and surface trafficking. This study reveals a novel mechanism of regulation of trafficking of GluA2-containing receptors to the surface under the control of intracellular Ca²⁺ dynamics and CaMKII activity.     

DNA binding of citrus dehydrin promoted by zinc ion

Dehydrins are hydrophilic proteins that accumulate during embryogenesis and osmotic stress responses in plants. Here, we report an interaction between citrus dehydrin Citrus unshiu cold-regulated 15 kDa protein (CuCOR15) and DNA. Binding of CuCOR15 to DNA was detected by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay, a filter-binding assay and Southwestern blotting. The binding was stimulated by physiological concentrations of Zn²⁺, but little stimulation occurred when other divalent cations, such as Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Cu²⁺, were substituted for Zn²⁺. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid cancelled the Zn²⁺-stimulated binding. A binding curve and competitor experiments suggested that the DNA binding of CuCOR15 exhibited low affinity and non-specificity. Moreover, tRNA competed with the DNA binding. Histidine-rich domains and a polylysine segment-containing domain participated in the DNA binding. These results suggest that CuCOR15 can interact with DNA, and also RNA, in the presence of Zn²⁺. Dehydrin may protect nucleic acids in plant cells during seed maturation and stress responses.     

Zn2+ mediates ischemia-induced impairment of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in the rat hippocampus

Deposition of ubiquitinated protein aggregates is a hallmark of neurodegeneration in both acute neural injuries, such as stroke, and chronic conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. In the present study, we examined the role of Zn²⁺ in ischemia-induced impairment of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in the CA1 region of rat hippocampus after transient global ischemia. We found that scavenging endogenous Zn²⁺ reduced ischemia-induced ubiquitin conjugation and free ubiquitin depletion. Furthermore, exposure to zinc chloride increased ubiquitination and inhibited proteasomal enzyme activity in cultured hippocampal neurons in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Further studies of the underlying mechanisms showed that Zn²⁺-induced ubiquitination required p38 activation. These findings indicate that alterations in Zn²⁺ homeostasis impair the protein degradation pathway.     

Acute toxicology to an estuarine teleost of mixtures of cadmium, copper and zinc salts

Effects of mixtures of chloride salts of cadmium, copper and zinc on survival, whole body residues, and histopathology of mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus (L.), were investigated in synthetic sea water at 20‰ salinity and 20°C. Mixtures of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ as indicated by 96 h bioassay studies produced more deaths than expected on the basis of toxicities of individual components. Concentrations of Cd²⁺ not ordinarily lethal exerted a negative effect on survival of fish intoxicated by salts of copper, zinc, or both.
Atomic absorption determinations of Cd, Cu, and Zn residues in mummichog which survived 96 h exposures to each of these toxicants provided useful indices of total body burdens for these metals. Residues from survivors held in mixtures, especially Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ mixtures, did not conform to patterns observed for single elements. Whole body aggregates of Cd, Cu, and Zn from dead mummichogs were of limited worth owing to possible accumulation of these metals from the medium after death.
Renal and lateral line canal lesions were noted in all fish subjected to copper concentrations of 1 mg/1 and higher. Renal lesions observed in fish immersed in mixtures of Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ assumed a damage pattern characteristic of Cd²⁺; with mixtures of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺, lesion were typical of Cu²⁺-induced damage. Lesions induced in lateral line epithelium by Cu²⁺ were not affected by either Cd²⁺ or Zn²⁺. Epithelia lining the oral cavity were necrotized by the caustic action of high levels of Zn²⁺ (60 mg/1) and of Cu²⁺ (8 mg/1).     

The Effects of lithium and Zinc Ions on the Pattern of Acidic Glycans in the Sea Urchin (Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus) Embryo

Among several acidic glycan components found in Hemicentrotus embryos, the "F"- and "S"-components were specifically affected by treatment with Li⁺and Zn²⁺, respectively. The amount of the "F"-component in Li⁺-treated embryos was about 60% that in normal embryos. This fact was in accordance with the reduced alcian blue staining of the surfaces in Li⁺-treated embryos. Moreover, the "F"-component in Li⁺-treated embryos appeared to be composed of two subcomponents, while in normal and Zn²⁺-treated embryos it appeared to be single. The "S"-component in Zn²⁺-treated embryos was about 8% that in normal embryos. According to histochemistry with a lectin probe, it was found that UEA-I was much more strongly associated with a hyaline layer in Li⁺-treated than in normal and Zn²⁺-treated embryos. Li⁺-treated embryos developed into exogastrulas, which were divided by a constriction into two parts; an animal half which stained intensely with alcian blue, and a vegetal half which stained poorly. On the other hand, Zn²⁺-treated embryos remained as permanent blastulas. Considering the above, it is suggested that change in the acidic glycan pattern leads to alterations in the morphogenesis of sea urchin embryos.     

Zinc ions promote prestalk-to-stalk and prespore-to-stalk conversions in Dictyostelium discoideum

Abstract To clarify the mechanism of stalk cell differentiation in Dictyostelium discoideum (strain NC4), we have examined the effects of Zn²⁺ on in vitro cell differentiation of prestalk and prespore cells isolated from normally formed slugs. Prestalk cells did not differentiate into stalk cells under submerged conditions, but in the presence of the stalk-inducing factor-1 (DIF-1) at 100 nM or Zn²⁺ at 5 mM, a small number of the cells (< 15%) differentiated into stalk cells. Interestingly, Zn²⁺ in combination with DIF-1 induced the prestalk-to-stalk conversion at high efficiencies (approx. 60%). Furthermore, isolated prespore cells were also converted to stalk cells at high efficiencies (approx. 50%) in the presence of both DIF-1 and Zn²⁺, while the conversion poorly occurred in the absence of Zn²⁺. These results indicate that Zn²⁺ may mimic some cellular interaction(s) which are required for stalk cell formation in this strain.     

Retardation and inhibition of the cation-induced superoxide generation in BY-2 tobacco cell suspension culture by Zn2+ and Mn2+

Salts at high concentrations may cause oxidative damage to plant cells since many studies indicated the involvement of reactive oxygen species in salt-stress response. Recently, we have demonstrated that treatment of tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum ) cell suspension culture with various salts result in an immediate burst of superoxide production via activation of NADPH oxidase by ions of alkali metals (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺), alkali earth metals (Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺) or lanthanides (La³⁺, Gd³⁺). In this study, we tested the effect of extracellular supplementation of Zn²⁺ and Mn²⁺ on the cation-induced oxidative burst in tobacco cell suspension culture, measured with a superoxide-specific Cypridina luciferin-derived chemiluminescent reagent. Extracellular supplementation of Zn²⁺ and Mn²⁺ inhibited the generation of superoxide in response to addition of salts. Although both Zn²⁺ and Mn²⁺ inhibited the salt-induced generation of superoxide, the modes of inhibition by those ions seemed to be different since Mn²⁺ simply inhibited total production of superoxide while Zn²⁺ inhibited the early phase of superoxide production and induced the slow release of superoxide. Roles of Mn²⁺ and Zn²⁺ in protection of plant cells from salt stress, as an effective superoxide scavenger and an effective inhibitor of plasma membrane-bound NADPH oxidase, respectively, are discussed.     

Serine 77 in the PDZ domain of PICK1 is a protein kinase Cα phosphorylation site regulated by lipid membrane binding

PICK1 (protein interacting with C kinase 1) contains an N-terminal protein binding PDZ domain and a C-terminal lipid binding BAR domain. PICK1 plays a key role in several physiological processes, including synaptic plasticity. However, little is known about the cellular mechanisms governing the activity of PICK1 itself. Here we show that PICK1 is a substrate in vitro both for PKCα (protein kinase Cα), as previously shown, and for CaMKIIα (Ca(2+)-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIα). By mutation of predicted phosphorylation sites, we identify Ser77 in the PDZ domain as a major phosphorylation site for PKCα. Mutation of Ser77 reduced the level of PKCα-mediated phosphorylation ~50%, whereas no reduction was observed upon mutation of seven other predicted sites. Addition of lipid vesicles increased the level of phosphorylation of Ser77 10-fold, indicating that lipid binding is critical for optimal phosphorylation. Binding of PKCα to the PICK1 PDZ domain was not required for phosphorylation, but a PDZ domain peptide ligand reduced the overall level of phosphorylation ~30%. The phosphomimic S77D reduced the extent of cytosolic clustering of eYFP-PICK1 in COS7 cells and thereby conceivably its lipid binding and/or polymerization capacity. We propose that PICK1 is phosphorylated at Ser77 by PKCα preferentially when bound to membrane vesicles and that this phosphorylation in turn modulates its cellular distribution.     

Zinc-dependent changes in ESR signals, NADPH oxidase and plasma membrane permeability in cotton roots

The effect of Zn²⁺ on the plasma membrane permeability and superoxide radical (O₂^-) formation in roots was studied with cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Delta-pine 15/21) plants grown in nutrient solution with different Zn²⁺ supply. Compared to Zn-sufficient plants, the plasma membrane permeability of Zn-deficient plants was increased as indicated by a 3-, 5- and 2.5-fold increase in root cell leakage of K⁺, NO₃^- and organic carbon compounds, respectively. Resupply of Zn²⁺ to Zn-deficient plants for 12 h substantially decreased this leakage. The effects of Zn²⁺ on membrane permeability were closely correlated with the levels of O₂^- measured by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy in the microsomal membrane fraction and in the cytosol fraction of root cells. The amplitudes of the O₂^- -derived Tiron ESR signal also coincided with a O₂^- -generating oxidase activity which was strongly dependent on the presence of NADPH and FAD. The results suggest that Zn²⁺ directly affects the integrity of the plasma membrane, at least in part, by interfering with O₂^- generation by a membrane-bound NADPH oxidase.     

Loss of Zhf and the tightly regulated zinc-uptake system SpZrt1 in Schizosaccharomyces pombe reveals the delicacy of cellular zinc balance

Zinc is an essential micronutrient, and yet it can be toxic when present in excess. Zinc acquisition and distribution are dependent on tightly controlled transport of Zn²⁺ ions. Schizosaccharomyces pombe represents a second eukaryotic model to study cellular metal homeostasis. In several ways its micronutrient metabolism is fundamentally different from Saccharomyces cerevisiae . We identified the first Zn²⁺-uptake system in S. pombe and named it SpZrt1. Knock-out strains for all three ZIP (Zrt, Irt-like protein) transporters in fission yeast were constructed. Only zrt1 Δ cells were unable to grow at low Zn²⁺ and showed reduced ⁶⁵Zn²⁺ uptake. Elemental profiles revealed a strong decrease in zinc accumulation. Cd²⁺ ions inhibited uptake but Fe²⁺ or Mn²⁺ did not. Both mRNA abundance and protein amount are tightly regulated. Zrt1 activity is rapidly shut down upon transfer of zinc-deficient cells to zinc-replete conditions. In cells lacking Zhf, a transporter mediating endoplasmic reticulum storage of zinc, this response is about 100-fold more sensitive. Thus, removal of excess of zinc from the cytosol is largely Zhf dependent. Moreover, cells deficient for both transporters are no longer able to adjust to changing external Zn²⁺ concentrations. Optimal growth is restricted to a narrow range of Zn²⁺ concentrations, illustrating the fine balance between micronutrient deficiency and toxicity.