GLIS family zinc finger 3 (GLIS3)

GLIS family zinc finger 3 (GLIS3) is a Krüppel-like zinc finger transcription factor containing five C2H2-type zinc finger domains. GLIS3 acts as both a repressor and activator of gene transcription by binding to specific DNA sequences. It plays critical roles during embryonic development, particularly in the pancreas, thyroid, eye, liver, and kidney. Mutations in GLIS3 lead to neonatal diabetes and congenital hypothyroidism, with additional associations to other syndromic features such as polycystic kidney disease and facial abnormalities. The protein regulates cell specification and the expression of key hormones and transcription factors, notably controlling insulin gene expression in pancreatic beta cells. No approved drugs directly target GLIS3, but its genetic variants serve as important biomarkers for certain monogenic diseases.

Other names

ZNF515NDH