Helicase with zinc finger 2 (HELZ2)

Helicase with zinc finger 2 (HELZ2) is a multifunctional nuclear protein that acts as a transcriptional co-activator for several nuclear receptors, most notably the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARA). It contains both RNA helicase domains and a C-terminal zinc finger motif, classifying it within the DNA2/NAM7 helicase gene family. HELZ2 exerts ATP-dependent helicase and 3' to 5' exoribonuclease activities, with substrate preference for pyrimidine-rich RNA. It plays a significant role in regulating transcription in pathways such as adipocyte differentiation and circadian gene expression. HELZ2 has alternatively spliced isoforms and is essential for proper execution of nuclear receptor-regulated transcriptional programs. There is reported association with Korean hemorrhagic fever but detailed mechanistic involvement in human disease remains under investigation.

Other names

HELZ2DKFZp547O064zinc finger RNA helicase HELZ2

Not directly drug-targeted, but mechanistically, HELZ2 acts by facilitating RNA metabolism and as a co-activator for nuclear receptor-mediated gene transcription