Zinc finger and BTB domain-containing protein 16 (ZBTB16)

Zinc finger and BTB domain-containing protein 16 (ZBTB16/PLZF) is a nuclear Krueppel-type zinc finger transcription factor containing nine C2H2-type zinc fingers and an N-terminal BTB/POZ domain responsible for protein-protein interactions and dimerization[1][4]. It represses transcription by recruiting histone deacetylase complexes to promoters of target genes, and has essential roles in cell cycle progression, apoptosis, differentiation of hematopoietic cells, immune cell development, and organogenesis (including skeleton and limb formation)[1][2][4]. Gene rearrangements resulting in PLZF-RARα fusions are implicated in a distinct subset of acute promyelocytic leukemia, conferring resistance to standard therapies[2][4]. ZBTB16/PLZF is also important in spermatogenesis, chondrogenesis, and is emerging as a regulator of stem cell fate, with additional links to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism[3][4].

Other names

Promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (PLZF)ZBTB16ZNF145Zfp145

For acute promyelocytic leukemia with PLZF-RARα fusion: All-trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide can target the RARα component, but PLZF-RARα fusions are associated with resistance due to repression of retinoic acid-regulated genes, locking cells in the promyelocyte stage[4]. Wild-type ZBTB16/PLZF modulates gene expression by recruiting histone deacetylase complexes (HDACs) for chromatin remodeling and transcriptional repression; post-translational modifications affect its regulatory activity[1][2][4].