The rare inherited condition acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE) results from a defect in the absorption of dietary zinc.
Etiology
mutations in the SLC39A4 gene (8q24) encoding a histidine-rich protein hZIP4, a member of a large family of transmembrane proteins, some of which are known to serve as zinc-uptake proteins. (12032886)
Differential diagnosis
acrodermatitis enteropathica-like eruption
References
An update on mutations of the SLC39A4 gene in acrodermatitis enteropathica. Schmitt S, Küry S, Giraud M, Dréno B, Kharfi M, Bézieau S. Hum Mutat. 2009 Jun;30(6):926-33. PMID: 19370757