Zinc finger BED domain-containing protein 6 (ZBED6)

Zinc finger BED domain-containing protein 6 (ZBED6) is a highly conserved transcription factor unique to placental mammals, derived from a domesticated DNA transposon and encoded as an intronless gene located within the first intron of ZC3H11A[1][2][5]. ZBED6 acts primarily as a transcriptional repressor, best known for suppressing IGF2 (insulin-like growth factor 2) expression—a function with profound effects on muscle growth, heart size, and fat deposition in animal models[1][3][4][5]. Genome and ChIP-seq studies reveal thousands of ZBED6 binding sites, with downstream effects on genes in major pathways such as Wnt, Hippo, TGF-β, EGF receptor, and PI3K, indicating broad, context-dependent influence over cell cycle, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis[1][3][4][6]. ZBED6 also contributes to disease phenotypes, notably in cancer (e.g., colorectal, breast) and sepsis-induced muscle atrophy, where it regulates gene networks involved in cell proliferation, survival, and pathogenic atrophy[1][3]. Despite its importance in developmental and cancer biology, ZBED6 is not currently a direct therapeutic target, nor is it linked with any drugs or clinical biomarkers[1][6].

Other names

MGRzinc finger BED-type containing 6ZBED6