Zinc finger and BTB domain-containing protein 3 (ZBTB3)

Zinc finger and BTB domain-containing protein 3 (ZBTB3) is a transcription factor belonging to the zinc finger and BTB/POZ domain-containing protein family. It is predicted to regulate transcription by RNA polymerase II, functioning predominantly as a DNA-binding factor in the nucleus. ZBTB3 acts as a critical regulator of cellular growth by modulating the reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification pathway, essential for cancer cell survival; suppression leads to increased ROS and apoptosis via caspase activation in cancer models. Additionally, ZBTB3 mediates chromatin looping, which can influence promoter selection (such as for immune-regulatory genes like IRF5), linking it to autoimmunity through effects on macrophage polarization. Its role in cancer biology and immune regulation highlights ZBTB3 as a potential therapeutic target, though direct pharmacological agents are not currently described.

Other names

ZBTB3Zinc finger and BTB domain containing 3FLJ23392ZBTB3_HUMAN

Not directly described for drugs, but inhibition (e.g., by shRNA) of ZBTB3 results in increased ROS, decreased antioxidant gene expression, and apoptosis via activation of the caspase cascade. Potential future approaches may aim to inhibit ZBTB3 to selectively induce cancer cell death.