The zinc transporter ZIP6, also known as SLC39A6, is a member of a family of divalent ion transporters. Zinc is an essential ion for cells and plays significant roles in the growth, development, and differentiation. ZIP6 was initially identified as LIV-1, an estrogen-regulated gene that has been implicated in metastatic breast cancer. Elevated ZIP6 expression has also been reported in human cervical cancer and the HeLa cell line; down-regulation of ZIP6 expression in HeLa by RNAi inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasiveness, as well as decreasing Snail and Slug levels, suggesting ZIP6 plays a regulatory role on the ERK1/2-Snail/Slug pathway.