Zinc-influx transporter which plays a role in zinc homeostasis and in the induction of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). When associated with SLC39A10, the heterodimer formed by SLC39A10 and SLC39A6 mediates cellular zinc uptake to trigger cells to undergo epithelial- to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) (By similarity). The SLC39A10-SLC39A6 heterodimer also controls NCAM1 phosphorylation and its integration into focal adhesion complexes during EMT (By similarity). Zinc influx inactivates GSK3B, enabling unphosphorylated SNAI1 in the nucleus to down-regulate adherence genes such as CDH1, causing loss of cell adherence. In addition, the SLC39A10-SLC39A6 heterodimer plays an essentiel role in initiating mitosis by importing zinc into cells to initiate a pathway resulting in the onset of mitosis. Participates in the T-cell receptor signaling regulation by mediating cellular zinc uptake into activated lymphocytes. Regulates the zinc influx necessary for proper meiotic progression to metaphase II (MII) that allows the oocyte-to-egg transition (By similarity).
Subcellular locations: Cell membrane, Cell projection, Lamellipodium membrane, Membrane raft, Apical cell membrane
Localizes to lipid rafts in T cells and is recruited into the immunological synapse in response to TCR stimulation (By similarity). In the choroid plexus is limited to the apical membrane in epithelial cells (By similarity).