SLC39A5 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Zinc is essential for the protection of cells against DNA damage, and its role appears to be enhanced in cancer cells.593,594 ZD significantly influences cell cycle.595 For example, in ESCC, miR-193b modulates the expression of ZIP5 and Cyclin D1.596 In ZD, miR-193b was observed to be silenced by methylation, which increases ZIP5 expression.