Znt7-null mutation affects the gut microbiota, goblet cell population, and mucin production in the mouse colon

Cellular homeostasis of zinc, an essential element for living organisms, is tightly regulated by a family of zinc transporters. The zinc transporter, ZnT7, is highly expressed within the Golgi complex of intestinal epithelial cells and goblet cells. It has previously been shown that Znt7 knockout leads to zinc deficiency and decreased weight gain in C57Bl/6 mice on a defined diet. However, effects within the colon are unknown. Given the expression profile of Znt7, we set out to analyze the changes in mucin density and gut microbial composition in the mouse large intestine caused by Znt7 knockout in both male and female mice.