Zinc finger protein 395 (ZNF395)

Zinc finger protein 395 (ZNF395) is a DNA-binding transcription factor of the C2H2-type zinc finger protein family, encoded by the ZNF395 gene in humans. ZNF395 is involved in transcriptional activation of specific genes, including those regulated by RNA polymerase II, and is capable of binding cis-regulatory DNA regions with sequence specificity[2][6]. It plays a role in regulating cellular responses to hypoxia and the transcription of interferon-stimulated genes. ZNF395 is ubiquitously expressed and has been identified as an oncogenic driver in several human cancers such as chondrosarcoma, glioblastoma, kidney cancer, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and neuroblastoma, though it may act as a tumor suppressor in some settings (e.g., liver and breast cancer)[1]. Elevated ZNF395 expression is correlated with tumor grade and poor prognosis, especially in chondrosarcoma, making it a potential prognostic biomarker and candidate therapeutic target. Despite its disease associations, no approved drugs directly target ZNF395, though inhibition by siRNA in cellular models reduces tumor cell growth and induces apoptosis[1][2][6].

Other names

HDBP-2HDBP2HDRF-2PBFPRF-1PRF1Si-1-8-14HD gene regulatory region-binding protein 2HD-regulating factor 2Huntington disease gene regulatory region-binding protein 2Papillomavirus regulatory factor 1Papillomavirus-binding factorDKFZp434K1210

Not established for clinical drugs; RNA interference (siRNA) targeting ZNF395 shows anti-tumor activity in preclinical models via apoptosis induction and inhibition of cell growth[1]