Mediates zinc uptake. May function as a major endogenous zinc uptake transporter in many cells of the body (By similarity). Ubiquitous. Highest levels seen in kidney, salivary gland and placenta. Found to be developmentally regulated in the skin where it is expressed in the epidermal layer, excluding the dermis, at embryonic day 17.5 dpc but not in 10.5 dpc and 15.5 dpc. In the small intestine found toward the base of the intestinal villi from 17.5 dpc. In the pancreas, expression was detected from 17.5 dpc and no expression was found in the liver. Also expressed in osteoblasts of developing bone from 15.5 dpc. Belongs to the ZIP transporter (TC 2.A.5) family.