Zfra4-10

Zfra4-10 is a synthetic truncated peptide derived from the Zinc finger-like protein for regulating apoptosis (Zfra), specifically encompassing amino acids 4 through 10 of the full-length 31-amino-acid protein. Developed by researchers at National Cheng Kung University, Zfra4-10 acts as a regulator of protein degradation and a tumor suppressor modulator. The peptide undergoes phosphate-dependent self-polymerization, a process essential for its biological activity, including the induction of apoptosis in cancer cells and the regulation of protein degradation independently of the ubiquitin/proteasome system. Zfra4-10 functions by binding to membrane hyaluronidase Hyal-2 and suppressing the TGF-beta/Hyal-2/WWOX/Smad4 signaling pathway. It also inhibits the phosphorylation of the tumor suppressor WWOX at Ser14, which is associated with metastatic docking and cancer stem cell markers. In preclinical mouse models, Zfra4-10 has demonstrated efficacy in preventing the growth of melanoma and skin basal cell carcinoma xenografts and stimulating specific memory lymphocytes (Hyal-2+ CD3- CD19-) that contribute to anti-tumor immunity.

Other names

Zfra (4-10)truncated Zfra peptide