Transcription factor Sp9 (SP9)

Transcription factor Sp9 (SP9) is a zinc finger transcription factor critically involved in the development and subtype specification of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the striatum. It is highly expressed in progenitor cells of the lateral ganglionic eminence (LGE) and is essential for the generation, differentiation, and survival of striatopallidal (D2-type) MSNs. Loss of Sp9 leads to a failure in the proliferation and increased apoptosis of D2-MSN progenitors, resulting in significant reduction of this neuron population, while D1-MSN development is largely unaffected. SP9 thus plays a pivotal role in neural development, particularly in the fate determination between D1- and D2-type MSNs, and is regulated by upstream factors such as Ascl1. There is no current evidence supporting SP9 as a direct therapeutic target or as a druggable receptor, but its critical role in neurodevelopment suggests a potential link to neurological diseases affecting the striatum[1][2].

Other names

ZNF990zinc finger protein 990Sp9 transcription factor homolog