Zinc finger and SCAN domain-containing protein 18 (ZSCAN18)

Zinc finger and SCAN domain-containing protein 18 (ZSCAN18) is a transcription factor in the zinc finger protein family, characterized by having both a C2H2-type zinc finger DNA-binding domain and a SCAN protein-protein interaction domain[1][2][3][5]. ZSCAN18 is involved in the regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II and is predominantly localized to the nucleus[3]. Its expression is downregulated in various cancers, notably breast cancer, where methylation-mediated silencing correlates with tumor subtype and patient prognosis[2]. ZSCAN18 may function as a tumor suppressor, with its reduced expression linked to increased cell cycle activity, glycolysis, and activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in some cancer types[2]. It interacts with chromatin modifying enzymes and regulates multiple intracellular molecular and metabolic processes[2]. Due to its variable methylation and expression in tumor tissues, ZSCAN18 methylation is under investigation as a prognostic biomarker[2]. No approved drugs or small molecule modulators targeting ZSCAN18 are known.

Other names

ZNF447FLJ12895Zinc finger protein 447