Zinc finger and BTB domain-containing protein 48 (ZBTB48)

Zinc finger and BTB domain-containing protein 48 (ZBTB48), also known as telomeric zinc finger-associated protein (TZAP), is a DNA-binding transcription factor that primarily functions as a regulator of telomere length and a transcriptional activator. ZBTB48 binds directly to the double-stranded TTAGGG telomeric repeats, especially at telomeres with reduced shelterin complex occupancy, and triggers telomere trimming to prevent excessive telomere elongation[1][2][4][5][6][7]. Loss of ZBTB48 leads to telomere elongation, while overexpression results in telomere shortening and increased telomere trimming, particularly in cancer cell lines utilizing alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT)[1][2][6]. Apart from telomere regulation, ZBTB48 activates the transcription of a small set of target genes, notably mitochondrial fission process 1 (MTFP1) and ARF (a tumor suppressor isoform of CDKN2A), and has emerging roles in chromatin remodeling and epigenetic regulation[2][4][5][6]. ZBTB48 is encoded on chromosome 1p36, a region commonly altered in various human cancers, and may act as a putative tumor suppressor, though this role is contested in the literature[1][4][6]. There are currently no known drugs or direct therapeutic agents targeting ZBTB48, and there are no established biomarkers or safety concerns specifically related to this protein.

Other names

Telomeric zinc finger-associated proteinTZAPHKR3ZNF855Krueppel-related zinc finger protein 3Telomere zinc finger-associated proteinTelomere-binding protein and transcriptional activator ZBTB48Zinc finger protein 855pp9964GLI-Kruppel family member HKR3