Zinc Finger Protein 443 (ZNF443)

ZK1 mRNA was induced in leukemia cell lines by exposure to ionizing radiation. ZK1 transfection increased apoptotic cell death of murine myeloid precursor 32D cells following irradiation and IL3 deprivation.

Zinc finger proteins (ZNFs) bind DNA and, through this binding, regulate gene transcription. Most ZNFs contain conserved C2H2 motifs and are classified as Kruppel-type zinc fingers.The full-length cDNA clone encodes a deduced 671-amino acid protein with a Kruppel-associated box (KRAB) type A at its N terminus, 15 consecutively repeated ZNF motifs at its C terminus, and 2 incomplete ZNF motifs. Northern blot analysis detected ZK1 mRNA in almost all tissues tested; highest levels were found in kidney, spleen, lung, placenta, and ovary, intermediate levels in lymphocytes and muscle, and lower levels in brain, heart, liver, small intestine, and prostate