Ring finger protein 141 (RNF141)

Ring finger protein 141 is a member of the RING finger protein family, containing a characteristic RING domain that mediates protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions. It functions as an E3 ubiquitin ligase and is highly expressed in the testis, where it regulates transcription during spermatogenesis, and plays important roles in cell cycle control, apoptosis, and developmental processes. RNF141 localizes mainly to the cytoplasm and cell membrane and interacts directly with KRAS, promoting KRAS activation by increasing its enrichment at the plasma membrane in colorectal cancer cells—contributing to tumorigenicity by enhancing proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis. Its increased expression is a marker for tumor progression in several cancers, and its absence is linked to male infertility. As of now, there are no approved drugs targeting RNF141, but it represents a promising experimental target for cancer therapy and possibly for addressing male infertility.

Other names

ZNF230ZFP26Zinc finger protein 230RFP141C3HC4-like zinc finger protein

For conceptual drugs, inhibition of RNF141 activity could suppress tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and induce apoptosis, particularly by downregulating KRAS activation in cancer cells. No clinical mechanism has been established.