Zinc finger protein 417 (ZNF417)

**Zinc finger protein 417 (ZNF417)** is a primate-specific, KRAB (Krüppel-associated box) domain-containing zinc finger transcription factor predicted to function as a sequence-specific transcriptional repressor active in the nucleus[1][3][4]. ZNF417 regulates gene expression by binding to sequence-specific DNA motifs in the regulatory regions of target genes, notably repressing human endogenous retrovirus K (HERVK) and SVA retroelements through the recruitment of epigenetic silencers like KAP1 and SETDB1, thereby enforcing heterochromatic silencing[2][4]. It likely acts in concert with its close paralog ZNF587, sharing high sequence similarity and overlapping binding preferences[2][4]. ZNF417 is not a classic therapeutic target (such as a receptor, enzyme, ion channel, or transporter). Its described disease association is limited to rare genetic findings in Glycogen Storage Disease IXb, and it has not been directly implicated as a biomarker, drug target, or as having specific safety considerations[3].

Other names

MGC34079ZNF417zinc finger protein 417