Zinc finger protein 541 (ZNF541)

Zinc finger protein 541 (ZNF541) is a DNA-binding transcription factor encoded by the ZNF541 gene in humans[1][5][7]. It belongs to the C2H2-type zinc finger protein family, the largest family of transcription factors in humans, characterized by zinc finger domains that mediate DNA binding[6][4]. ZNF541 is essential for male fertility, specifically in the progression of meiotic prophase in spermatocytes, where it regulates genes involved in meiosis and represses transcriptional programs that would otherwise result in aberrant double-strand DNA breaks, ensuring correct meiotic progression[1]. It is predicted to function as a transcriptional corepressor and to be part of chromatin-modifying complexes, such as the histone deacetylase complex, with canonical localization in the cell nucleus[1]. While direct drug interactions or established biomarker roles are not described, the broader zinc finger protein family is implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders, but specific disease roles for ZNF541 remain largely unexplored in current literature[4].

Other names

ZNF541DKFZp434I1930