Acts as a zinc-influx transporter (Potential). May be partly involved in the outbreak of schizophrenia. On the basis of sequence homology, the human SLC39A12 gene has been included as a member of a family of zinc (Zn) transporters designated as the ZRT-IRT-like proteins (current designation SLC39). ZRT-IRT-like proteins act in concert with another family of transporters, known in non-mammalian organisms as cation diffusion facilitators and in mammals as zinc transporters (ZnT), to regulate the distribution of Zn in the extra- versus intracellular milieu and within cellular compartments. Hence the ZnT maintain Zn homeostasis that is critical for the normal functioning of tissues including the CNS.