Zinc fingers and homeoboxes protein 3 (ZHX3)

Zinc fingers and homeoboxes protein 3 (ZHX3) is a nuclear transcriptional repressor that contains two C2H2-type zinc fingers and five homeodomains, unique features among homeodomain-containing transcription factors[1][3][5][6][7]. ZHX3 can homodimerize or heterodimerize with related proteins, such as ZHX1, and interacts with nuclear factor-Y (NF-YA) to repress gene transcription[1][3][5]. It plays a significant role in regulating gene expression during cellular differentiation, especially during early osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, and is crucial for the maintenance and function of renal podocytes, with dysregulation implicated in nephrotic syndrome and other glomerular diseases[3][5][7]. Its altered expression is associated with several cancers, acting either as a tumor suppressor or oncogene depending on the tissue context, and it is involved in the control of cellular senescence by binding to promoters of genes such as p16INK4a[3][5][6]. Currently, ZHX3 is not considered a direct therapeutic target, and no drugs are known to modulate its function or expression directly[7].

Other names

TIX1KIAA0395Triple homeobox protein 1Zinc finger and homeodomain protein 3Triple homeobox 1ZHX3