Zinc finger protein 711 (ZNF711) (ZNF711)

Zinc finger protein 711 (ZNF711) is a transcription factor encoded on the X chromosome that is essential for normal cognitive development and neuronal function (UniProt: Q9Y462). It contains multiple C2H2-type zinc finger domains, which allow it to bind to specific DNA motifs and regulate the transcription of a broad set of genes involved in brain morphogenesis and chromatin modification, such as the histone demethylase PHF8 (NCBI Gene: 7552). Loss-of-function mutations in ZNF711 are a recognized cause of X-linked intellectual disability (XLID), specifically the MRX97 subtype, which is characterized by moderate to severe cognitive impairment (OMIM: 300803). Although ZNF711 is not currently targeted by any approved small molecule or biologic drugs, its mRNA transcript represents a potential target for genetic therapies, including antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) or gene replacement strategies designed to compensate for its deficiency (PubMed: 20037513). Research into ZNF711 focuses on its role as a master regulator in the developing brain and its potential as a biomarker for diagnosing specific forms of inherited intellectual disability.

Other names

ZNF4CMPX1MRX97Zinc finger protein 4dJ752A20.2

No approved drugs currently target ZNF711; however, potential therapeutic strategies include gene replacement or RNA-based modulation to restore protein levels in deficiency states.