Zinc finger CCCH-type containing 12B (ZC3H12B)

Zinc finger CCCH-type containing 12B (ZC3H12B) is a protein encoded by the ZC3H12B gene located on the X chromosome (Xq12) in humans. It is a member of the CCCH-type zinc finger protein family and is structurally defined by a combination of a CCCH-type zinc finger domain and a ribonuclease (NYN/PIN) domain, conferring endoribonuclease activity for intracellular mRNA turnover. ZC3H12B predominantly localizes to the nucleus and cytoplasmic granules, where it binds inflammatory cytokine transcripts (notably IL-6, and IL-1β) and regulates their stability, thus modulating immune response and neuroinflammatory signaling. It exhibits highest expression in brain tissues and is implicated in neuroprotection by restricting basal cytokine levels in astrocytes, with genetic studies linking its reduced expression to Alzheimer’s disease pathology and glioma cell dynamics. Functional insights from its paralogs (e.g., ZC3H12A/Regnase-1) support conserved roles in inflammation control and cell cycle regulation. No characterized drugs, established biomarkers, or safety concerns are currently attributed to this protein.

Other names

CXorf32MCPIP2Regnase-2zinc finger CCCH domain-containing protein 12Bprobable ribonuclease ZC3H12B

no drugs characterized; mechanistic function involves endoribonuclease-dependent degradation of target mRNAs such as IL-6