Zinc finger and BTB domain-containing protein 43 (ZBTB43)

Zinc finger and BTB domain-containing protein 43 (ZBTB43) is a member of the ZBTB protein family characterized by Cys2-His2 (C2H2) zinc finger motifs and a BTB domain[1][3][7]. ZBTB43 functions as a sequence-specific transcription factor that binds to purine-pyrimidine repeat (PPR) rich DNA sequences capable of forming Z-DNA, an alternative left-handed DNA structure[1][3][5][6]. ZBTB43 acts to resolve these Z-DNA structures, converting them back to the canonical right-handed B-DNA, thereby safeguarding genomic and epigenomic integrity in male germ cells (prospermatogonia) during development[1][3][5][6]. This remodeling is critical for enabling de novo DNA methylation by DNA methyltransferases such as DNMT3A, preventing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), and protecting against large genomic deletions or rearrangements that could lead to heritable mutations or cancer[1][3][5][6]. ZBTB43 is not a classical therapeutic target such as a receptor, enzyme, or transporter but rather plays a specialized role in chromatin regulation and genome maintenance in the germ line[2][3][6][7]. There are no known drugs that directly target ZBTB43, and no established clinical biomarkers for its function at this time. Inactivation or loss of ZBTB43 activity is associated with increased risk of DNA breaks and genomic instability[3][5][6].

Other names

KIAA0414ZBTB22BZNF297BZNF-XFLJ22470zinc finger and BTB domain-containing protein 22Bzinc finger protein 297BZnF-x