The protein encoded by this gene is a zinc efflux transporter involved in the accumulation of zinc in intracellular vesicles. This gene is expressed at a high level only in the pancreas, particularly in islets of Langerhans. The encoded protein colocalizes with insulin in the secretory pathway granules of the insulin-secreting INS-1 cells. Allelic variants of this gene exist that confer susceptibility to diabetes mellitus, noninsulin-dependent (NIDDM). Several transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.[provided by RefSeq, Mar 2010],domain:Contains a histidine-rich region, HXXXXXHNH-motif, which is a ligand for zinc.,function:Facilitates the accumulation of zinc from the cytoplasm into intracellular vesicles, being a zinc-efflux transporter. May be a major component for providing zinc to insulin maturation and/or storage processes in insulin-secreting pancreatic beta-cells.,polymorphism:Variant Trp-325 is a risk factor that confers susceptibility to diabetes mellitus, noninsulin-dependent (NIDDM) [MIM:125853].,similarity:Belongs to the cation diffusion facilitator (CDF) transporter (TC 2.A.4) family. SLC30A subfamily.,subcellular location:Strictly associated with the insulin granule secretory.,tissue specificity:Strictly restricted to the pancreas islets cells. Found in insulin-producing beta cells and colocalized with insulin.,