Zinc finger protein 821 (ZNF821)

Zinc finger protein 821 (ZNF821) is a human nuclear transcription factor containing two C2H2-type zinc finger motifs and an STPR DNA-binding domain, highly conserved across vertebrates. The protein has 412 amino acids and localizes to the nucleus due to nuclear localization signals and its DNA-binding activity. It regulates gene expression via DNA binding and acts as a transcription factor, interacting with proteins involved in transcriptional regulation and cell signaling. ZNF821 is primarily expressed in the testes and brain (especially during fetal development), with low expression in most other tissues. Clinical studies have suggested roles for ZNF821 in disease, including its implication as dysregulated in a DNA-repair subnet in breast cancer, its involvement as a biomarker in methamphetamine-associated psychosis, and its association with epigenetic changes (methylation) in Parkinson’s disease patients. It may also be involved in craniosynostosis through interactions with other transcription factors. Despite these disease associations, ZNF821 is not established as a direct therapeutic target, and no known drugs or small molecules are identified to interact with or modulate its activity. It is primarily studied in the context of gene regulation and disease biomarker research.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

Other names

ZNF821Zfp821znf821