Zinc finger protein 471 (ZNF471)

Zinc finger protein 471 (ZNF471) is a member of the KRAB C2H2-type zinc-finger transcription factor family, characterized by a KRAB domain at the N-terminus and multiple C2H2 zinc finger motifs at the C-terminus. ZNF471 primarily localizes to the nucleus and is predicted to regulate gene expression by binding to specific DNA sequences, modulating transcriptional processes via RNA polymerase II[3][4][5]. It acts as a tumor suppressor gene, frequently silenced or down-regulated in various cancers—including gastric, cervical, esophageal, and breast cancer—often through promoter hypermethylation[1][2]. ZNF471 inhibits tumor cell growth, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, targets pathways like MAPK10/JNK3, and can regulate genes related to the cell cycle and epithelial-mesenchymal transition[1]. Its expression and methylation status are under investigation as biomarkers for prognosis and therapeutic response, particularly in gastric and cervical cancer[1][2]. Currently, there are no known approved drugs directly targeting ZNF471, nor are there safety concerns specific to its therapeutic targeting reported in the literature[1][3].

Other names

ERP1KIAA1396Z1971Zfp78EZFIT-related protein 1