The function of SLC39A6 (solute carrier family 39 member 6, ENSG00000141424) is as follows. Zinc-influx transporter which plays a role in zinc homeostasis and in the induction of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) (PubMed:12839489, PubMed:18272141, PubMed:21422171, PubMed:23919497, PubMed:27274087, PubMed:34394081). When associated with SLC39A10, the heterodimer formed by SLC39A10 and SLC39A6 mediates cellular zinc uptake to trigger cells to undergo epithelial- to- mesenchymal transition (EMT) (PubMed:27274087). The SLC39A10-SLC39A6 heterodimer also controls NCAM1 phosphorylation and its integration into focal adhesion complexes during EMT (By similarity). Zinc influx inactivates GSK3B, enabling unphosphorylated SNAI1 in the nucleus to down-regulate adherence genes such as CDH1, causing loss of cell adherence (PubMed:23919497). In addition, the SLC39A10-SLC39A6 heterodimer plays an essential role in initiating mitosis by importing zinc into cells to initiate a pathway resulting in the onset of mitosis (PubMed:32797246). Participates in the T-cell receptor signaling regulation by mediating cellular zinc uptake into activated lymphocytes (PubMed:21422171, PubMed:30552163, PubMed:34394081). Regulates the zinc influx necessary for proper meiotic progression to metaphase II (MII) that allows the oocyte-to-egg transition (PubMed:25143461). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:Q8C145, ECO:0000269|PubMed:12839489, ECO:0000269|PubMed:18272141, ECO:0000269|PubMed:21422171, ECO:0000269|PubMed:23919497, ECO:0000269|PubMed:25143461, ECO:0000269|PubMed:27274087, ECO:0000269|PubMed:30552163, ECO:0000269|PubMed:32797246, ECO:0000269|PubMed:34394081}.