Because the brain contains a dynamic pool of labile zinc, which is stored in synaptic vesicles through the action of ZnT3 (SLC30A3) and released upon depolarization to modulate synaptic physiology, it has been proposed that abnormalities in synaptic zinc levels may contribute to the above-mentioned brain dysfunctions such as microcephaly that are observed in nutritionally zinc-deficient animals33. The gene discussed is SLC30A3; the disease is microcephaly.