Leucine zipper and CTNNBIP1 domain-containing protein (LZIC)

Leucine zipper and CTNNBIP1 domain-containing protein (LZIC) is a highly conserved, ubiquitously expressed protein containing an N-terminal coiled-coil domain and a C-terminal ICAT-like domain. It is predicted to bind beta-catenin but does not interact with β-catenin like the canonical ICAT protein. LZIC is functionally involved in regulating the G2/M checkpoint during the cellular response to ionizing radiation–induced DNA damage. Loss of LZIC impairs sustained G2/M cell cycle arrest after irradiation, resulting in genomic instability and increased aneuploidy. Downregulation of LZIC is associated with cancer progression and poor prognosis, and its expression may serve as a predictive biomarker for cancer therapy outcomes. Its molecular mechanism is not fully elucidated, but it may act downstream of canonical DNA damage response kinases and impact the regulation of cell cycle–related genes. No direct evidence exists for LZIC being a therapeutic drug target, nor are drugs targeting this protein currently known.

Other names

Protein LZICMGC15436Leucine zipper and ICAT domain-containing proteinLeucine zipper and ICAT homologous domain-containing proteinLZIC protein1810030J04Rik (mouse)Q8WZA0 (UniProt)