Zinc finger protein 609 (ZNF609)

Zinc finger protein 609 is a promoter-specific chromatin-binding transcription factor that regulates the transcription of key genes and modulates processes including myoblast proliferation, thymocyte maturation, and neuron migration. The ZNF609 gene encodes a protein that preferentially binds to promoters containing paused RNA polymerase II and activates genes such as SEMA3A, NRP1, PLXND1, and GABBR2. Its circular RNA, circ-ZNF609, is generated via back-splicing of exon 2 and functions primarily as a posttranscriptional regulator by sponging microRNAs, thus influencing gene expression; circ-ZNF609 is upregulated in various cancers and promotes proliferation, migration, and invasion of tumor cells, making it a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and a subject for future therapeutic interventions.

Other names

ZNF609KIAA0295zinc finger protein 609circ-ZNF609

For circ-ZNF609: Acts as a molecular sponge for microRNAs, regulating gene expression (e.g., via Hedgehog pathway in cancer). For the protein: Activates or represses transcription of target genes by promoter binding.