ZNF198 Activators

Zinc finger protein 198 (ZNF198), encoded by the ZNF198 gene, is part of the family of zinc finger proteins, which are characterized by their finger-like protrusions that coordinate a zinc ion and enable the protein to interact with DNA, RNA, or other proteins. These interactions typically involve the regulation of gene expression, where zinc finger domains facilitate the binding to specific DNA sequences, thereby influencing the transcriptional machinery.ZNF198 contains multiple zinc finger motifs, which are known to confer the ability to bind to various target sequences with high specificity. Through these interactions, ZNF198 can act as a transcriptional regulator, modulating the expression of genes involved in a range of cellular processes, including development, differentiation, and proliferation.

One notable aspect of ZNF198 is its involvement in a specific chromosomal translocation t(8;13)(p11;q12), which is associated with a rare hematopoietic malignancy known as myeloproliferative disorder. This translocation fuses the ZNF198 gene with the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) gene, leading to the production of a ZNF198-FGFR1 fusion protein. The presence of this chimeric protein results in the constitutive activation of FGFR1 kinase activity, which drives the aberrant proliferation of hematopoietic cells and contributes to the pathogenesis of the disease.The study of ZNF198 and its associated fusion proteins is crucial for understanding the molecular basis of certain cancers. It also highlights the importance of proper regulation of zinc finger proteins in maintaining cellular homeostasis.