Myelin transcription factor 1-like protein (MYT1L)

Myelin transcription factor 1-like protein (MYT1L) is a zinc finger transcription factor highly expressed in postmitotic neurons and brain tissue. It plays a critical role in neuronal differentiation by promoting a mature neuronal program and repressing non-neuronal gene expression. Structurally, MYT1L contains six C2HC-type zinc finger domains arranged into functional clusters, mediating sequence-specific DNA binding (notably to the AAGTT motif). MYT1L regulates gene expression via recruitment of co-repressors (e.g., Sin3B complex) and can also function as a transcriptional activator. Loss-of-function mutations or gene deletions lead to MYT1L syndrome, a rare neurodevelopmental disorder associated with intellectual disability, autism, obesity, epilepsy, and behavioral challenges. MYT1L is implicated in neuronal reprogramming protocols and has tumor suppressor activity in glioblastoma by repression of oncogenic pathways. There are currently no drugs directly targeting MYT1L, but its genetic status is a biomarker for syndrome diagnosis and risk assessment

Other names

KIAA1106MyT1-Lneural zinc finger transcription factor 1NZF1ZC2HC4BZC2H2C2MRD39MyT1LmyT1-L

Not applicable; no known drugs targeting MYT1L. Generally, its function is via direct DNA binding and recruitment of transcriptional co-regulators (e.g., Sin3B/Rpd3L complex).