Quantitative trait loci identification reveals zinc finger protein CONSTANS-LIKE 4 as the key candidate gene of stigma color in watermelon(Citrullus lanatus)

Stigma color is a critical agronomic trait in watermelon that plays an important role in pollination.However,there are few reports on the regulation of stigma color in watermelon.In this study,a genetic analysis of the F2 population derived from ZXG1553(P1,with orange stigma)and W1-17(P2,with yellow stigma)indicated that stigma color is a quantitative trait and the orange stigma is recessive compared with the yellow stigma.Bulk segregant analysis sequencing(BSA-seq)revealed a 3.75 Mb segment on chromosome 6 that is related to stigma color.Also,a major stable effective QTL Clqsc6.1(QTL stigma color)was detected in two years between cleaved amplified polymorphic sequencing(CAPS)markers Chr06_8338913 and Chr06_9344593 spanning a~1.01 Mb interval that harbors 51 annotated genes.Cla97C06G117020(annotated as zinc finger protein CONSTANS-LIKE 4)was identified as the best candidate gene for the stigma color trait through RNA-seq,quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR),and gene structure alignment analysis among the natural watermelon panel.The expression level of Cla97C06G117020 in the orange stigma accession was lower than in the yellow stigma accessions with a significant difference.A nonsynonymous SNP site of the Cla97C06G117020 coding region that causes amino acid variation was related to the stigma color variation among nine watermelon accessions according to their re-sequencing data.Stigma color formation is often related to carotenoids,and we also found that the expression trend of ClCHYB(annotated asβ-carotene hydroxylase)in the carotenoid metabolic pathway was consistent with Cla97C06G117020,and it was expressed in low amounts in the orange stigma accession.These data indicated that Cla97C06G117020 and ClCHYB may interact to form the stigma color.This study provides a theoretical basis for gene fine mapping and mechanisms for the regulation of stigma color in watermelon.

The roles of zinc finger proteins in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is a common chronic disease characterized by excessive fat accumulation in hepatocytes in the absence of alcohol consumption.Modern trends towards excessive calorie intake and sedentary life styles have increased the prevalence of NAFLD accompanied by obesity and type 2 diabetes.However,the molecular mechanisms underlying the initiation and progression of NAFLD are not clear.Zinc finger proteins(ZFPs)are a superfamily of metalloproteins that contain zinc finger motifs.ZFPs play diverse physiological roles in tissue homeostasis and also contribute to many pathological conditions,including metabolic,cardiovascular,and neurodegenerative diseases and various types of cancer.In this review,we highlight our current knowledge of several ZFPs that play critical roles in the progression of NAFLD,describe their mechanistic functional networks,and discuss the potential for ZFPs as therapeutic targets for NAFLD.

Involvement of C2H2 zinc finger proteins in the regulation of epidermal cell fate determination in Arabidopsis

Cell fate determination is a basic developmental process during the growth of multicellular organisms.Trichomes and root hairs of Arabidopsis are both readily accessible structures originating from the epidermal cells of the aerial tissues and roots respectively, and they serve as excellent models for understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling cell fate determination and cell morphogenesis. The regulation of trichome and root hair formationis a complex program that consists of the integration of hormonal signals with a large number of transcriptional factors, including MYB and b HLH transcriptional factors.Studies during recent years have uncovered an important role of C2H2 type zinc finger proteins in the regulation of epidermal cell fate determination. Here in this minireview we briefly summarize the involvement of C2H2 zinc finger proteins in the control of trichome and root hair formation in Arabidopsis.

Expression Pattern Analysis of Zinc Finger Protein Genes in Wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) Under Phosphorus Deprivation

Zinc finger protein（ZFP） genes comprise a large and diverse gene family, and are involved in biotic and abiotic stress responses in plants. In this study, a total of 126 ZFP genes classified into various types in wheat were characterized and subjected to expression pattern analysis under inorganic phosphate（Pi） deprivation. The wheat ZFP genes and their corresponding GenBank numbers were obtained from the information of a 4×44K wheat gene expression microarray chip. They were confirmed by sequence similarity analysis and named based on their homologs in Brachypodium distachyon or Oriza sativa. Expression analysis based on the microarray chip revealed that these ZFP genes are categorized into 11 classes according to their gene expression patterns in a 24-h of Pi deprivation regime. Among them, ten genes were differentially up-regulated, ten genes differentially downregulated, and two genes both differentially up- and down-regulated by Pi deprivation. The differentially up- or down-regulated genes exhibited significantly more or less transcripts at one, two, or all of the checking time points（1, 6, and 24 h） of Pi stress in comparison with those of normal growth, respectively. The both differentially up- and down-regulated genes exhibited contrasting expression patterns, of these, TaWRKY70;5 showed significantly up-regulated at 1 and 6 h and down-regulated at 24 h whereas TaAN1AN20-8;2 displayed significantly upregulated at 1 h and downregulated at 6 h under deprivation Pi condition. Real time PCR analysis confirmed the expression patterns of the differentially expressed genes obtained by the microarray chip. Our results indicate that numerous ZFP genes in wheat respond to Pi deprivation and have provided further insight into the molecular basis that plants respond to Pi deprivation mediated by the ZFP gene family.

Molecular Cloning and Expression Analysis of a Cys2/His2 Type Zinc Finger Protein Gene in Upland Cotton

The zinc finger proteins belong to the largest family of transcription factors.But there is little research of Cys2/His2 type zinc finger proteins in cotton,and there is no submission of correlating

ZNF554 Inhibits Endometrial Cancer Progression via Regulating RBM5 and Inactivating WNT/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

Objective:Uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma(UCEC),a kind of gynecologic malignancy,poses a significant risk to women’s health.The precise mechanism underlying the development of UCEC remains elusive.Zinc finger protein 554(ZNF554),a member of the Krüppel-associated box domain zinc finger protein superfamily,was reported to be dysregulated in various illnesses,including malignant tumors.This study aimed to examine the involvement of ZNF554 in the development of UCEC.Methods:The expression of ZNF554 in UCEC tissues and cell lines were examined by qRT-PCR and Western blot assay.Cells with stably overexpressed or knocked-down ZNF554 were established through lentivirus infection.CCK-8,wound healing,and Transwell invasion assays were employed to assess cell proliferation,migration,and invasion.Propidium iodide(PI)staining combined with fluorescence-activated cell sorting(FACS)flow cytometer was utilized to detect cell cycle distribution.qRT-PCR and Western blotting were conducted to examine relative mRNA and protein levels.Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and luciferase reporter assay were used to explore the regulatory role of ZNF554 in RNA binding motif 5(RBM5).Results:The expression of ZNF554 was found to be reduced in both UCEC samples and cell lines.Decreased expression of ZNF554 was associated with higher tumor stage,decreased overall survival,and reduced disease-free survival in UCEC.ZNF554 overexpression suppressed cell proliferation,migration,and invasion,while also inducing cell cycle arrest.In contrast,a decrease in ZNF554 expression resulted in the opposite effect.Mechanistically,ZNF554 transcriptionally regulated RBM5,leading to the deactivation of the Wingless(WNT)/β-catenin signaling pathway.Moreover,the findings from rescue studies demonstrated that the inhibition of RBM5 negated the impact of ZNF554 overexpression onβ-catenin and p-glycogen synthase kinase-3β(p-GSK-3β).Similarly,the deliberate activation of RBM5 reduced the increase inβ-catenin and p-GSK-3βcaused by the suppression of ZNF554.In vitro experiments showed that ZNF554 overexpression-induced decreases in cell proliferation and migration were counteracted by RBM5 knockdown.Additionally,when RBM5 was overexpressed,it hindered the improvements in cell proliferation and migration caused by reducing the ZNF554 levels.Conclusion:ZNF554 functions as a tumor suppressor in UCEC.Furthermore,ZNF554 regulates UCEC progression through the RBM5/WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway.ZNF554 shows a promise as both a prognostic biomarker and a therapeutic target for UCEC.

Upregulated lncRNA PRNT promotes progression and oxaliplatin resistance of colorectal cancer cells by regulating HIPK2 transcription

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)is the third most common cancer and a significant cause of cancer-related mortality globally.Resistance to chemotherapy,especially during CRC treatment,leads to reduced effectiveness of drugs and poor patient outcomes.Long noncoding RNAs(lncRNAs)have been implicated in various pathophysiological processes of tumor cells,including chemotherapy resistance,yet the roles of many lncRNAs in CRC remain unclear.AIM To identify and analyze the lncRNAs involved in oxaliplatin resistance in CRC and to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms influencing this resistance.METHODS Gene Expression Omnibus datasets GSE42387 and GSE30011 were reanalyzed to identify lncRNAs and mRNAs associated with oxaliplatin resistance.Various bioinformatics tools were employed to elucidate molecular mechanisms.The expression levels of lncRNAs and mRNAs were assessed via quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.Functional assays,including MTT,wound healing,and Transwell,were conducted to investigate the functional implications of lncRNA alterations.Interactions between lncRNAs and trans-cription factors were examined using RIP and luciferase reporter assays,while Western blotting was used to confirm downstream pathways.Additionally,a xenograft mouse model was utilized to study the in vivo effects of lncRNAs on chemotherapy resistance.RESULTS LncRNA prion protein testis specific(PRNT)was found to be upregulated in oxaliplatin-resistant CRC cell lines and negatively correlated with homeodomain interacting protein kinase 2(HIPK2)expression.PRNT was demonstrated to sponge transcription factor zinc finger protein 184(ZNF184),which in turn could regulate HIPK2 expression.Altered expression of PRNT influenced CRC cell sensitivity to oxaliplatin,with overexpression leading to decreased sensitivity and decreased expression reducing resistance.Both RIP and luciferase reporter assays indicated that ZNF184 and HIPK2 are targets of PRNT.The PRNT/ZNF184/HIPK2 axis was implicated in promoting CRC progression and oxaliplatin resistance both in vitro and in vivo.CONCLUSION The study concludes that PRNT is upregulated in oxaliplatin-resistant CRC cells and modulates the expression of HIPK2 by sponging ZNF184.This regulatory mechanism enhances CRC progression and resistance to oxaliplatin,positioning PRNT as a promising therapeutic target for CRC patients undergoing oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy.

Long non-coding RNA-ATB induces trastuzumab resistance and aggravates the progression of gastric cancer by repressing miR- 200c via ZNF217 elevation

Background: Trastuzumab resistance accounts for chemotherapy failure in gastric cancer patients in clinicalpractice. The significance of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the maintenance of drug resistance in gastriccancer has been already underlined. Method: This study aimed to identify the specific role of lncRNA-ATB in gastriccancer progression and trastuzumab resistance. The downstream miRs of lncRNA-ATB and target genes of miRs werepredicted by bioinformatics analysis and verified using dual luciferase reporter assay. Loss- and gain-function assayswere performed to explore the roles of lncRNA-ATB, miR-200c, and zinc-finger protein 217 (ZNF217) in the cellfunctions and trastuzumab resistance of a trastuzumab-resistant gastric cancer cell line (NCI-N87-TR). Result:LncRNA-ATB was upregulated, while miR-200c was downregulated. Depletion of lncRNA-ATB or miR-200celevation led to a decrease in malignant properties of NCI-N87-TR cells. LncRNA-ATB could negatively target miR-200c, which in turn inversely targeted and reduced the expression of ZNF217. Silencing of ZNF217 could inhibit cellviability and migration. Conclusion: lncRNA-ATB promoted the progression and trastuzumab resistance of gastriccancer by repressing miR-200c via ZNF217 upregulation.

The C_2H_2 -type Zinc Finger Protein ZFP182 is Involved in Abscisic Acid-Induced Antioxidant Defense in Rice

C2H2-type zinc finger proteins （ZFPs） are thought to play important roles in modulating the responses of plants to drought, salinity and oxidative stress. However, direct evidence is lacking for the involvement of these ZFPs in abscisic acid （ABA）-induced antioxidant defense in plants. In this study, the role of the rice （Oryza sativa L. sub.japonica cv. Nipponbare） C2H2-type ZFP ZFP182 in ABA-induced antioxidant defense and the relationship between ZFP182 and two rice MAPKs, OsMPK1 and OsMPK5 in ABA signaling were investigated. ABA treatment induced the increases in the expression of ZFP182, OsMPK1 and OsMPK5, and the activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and ascorbate peroxidase （APX） in rice leaves. The transient gene expression analysis and the transient RNA interference （RNAi） analysis in protoplasts showed that ZFP182, OsMPK1 and OsMPK5 are involved in ABA-induced up-regulation in the activities of SOD and APX. Besides, OsMPK1 and OsMPK5 were shown to be required for the up-regulation in the expression of ZFP182 in ABA signaling, but ZFP182 did not mediate the ABA-induced up-regulation in the expression of OsMPK1 and OsMPKS. These results indicate that ZFP182 is required for ABA-induced antioxidant defense and the expression of ZFP182 is regulated by rice MAPKs in ABA signaling.

A zinc finger protein, interacted with cyclophilin,affects root development via IAA pathway in rice

The plant hormone auxin plays a crucial role in lateral root development. To better understand the rnolecular mechanisms underlying lateral root formation, an auxin-responsive gene OsCYP2 （Oso2g0121300） was characterized from rice. Compared to the wild type, OsCYP2-RNAi （RNA interference） lines exhibited distinctive defects in lateral root development. Yeast two-hybrid and glutathione S-transferase puIl-down results confirmed that OsCYP2 interacted with a C2HC-type zinc finger protein （OsZFP, O501g0252900） which is located in the rice nucleus. T2OsZFP-RNAi lines had significantly fewer lateral roots than did wild-type plants, which suggests a role for OsCYP2 and OsZFP in regulating lateral root development.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that the expression of certain Aux/IAA （auxin/indole-3- acetic acid） genes was altered in OsCYP2- and OsZFP-RNAi lines in response to IAA. These findings imply that OsCYP2 and OsZFP participate in IAA signal pathways controlling lateral root development. More importantly, OslAA11 showed functional redundancy not only in OsCYP2-RNAi lines but also in OsZFP-RNAi lines, which provides important clues for the elucidation of mechanisms controlling lateral root development in response to auxin.

OsIDD2, a zinc finger and INDETERMINATE DOMAIN protein, regulates secondary cell wall formation

Previously, we found 123 transcription factors（TFs） as candidate regulators of secondary cell wall（SCW）formation in rice by using phylogenetic and co-expression network analyses. Among them, we examined in this work the role of OsIDD_2, a zinc finger and indeterminate domain（IDD） family TF. Its overexpressors showed dwarfism, fragile leaves, and decreased lignin content, which are typical phenotypes of plants defective in SCW formation, whereas its knockout plants showed slightly increased lignin content.The RNA-seq and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses confirmed that some lignin biosynthetic genes were downregulated in the OsIDD_2-overexpressing plants, and revealed the same case for other genes involved in cellulose synthesis and sucrose metabolism. The transient expression assay using rice protoplasts revealed that OsIDD_2 negatively regulates the transcription of genes involved in lignin biosynthesis, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase 2 and 3（CAD_2 and 3）, and sucrose metabolism, sucrose synthase 5（SUS_5）, whereas an Alpha Screen assay, which can detect the interaction between TFs and their target DNA sequences, directly confirmed the interaction between OsIDD_2 and the target sequences located in the promoter regions of CAD_2 and CAD_3. Based on these observations, we conclude that OsIDD_2 is negatively involved in SCW formation and other biological events by downregulating its target genes.

Fruit size control by a zinc finger protein regulating pericarp cell size in tomato

Fruit size is largely defined by the number and size of cells in the fruit.Endoreduplication–a specialized cell cycle–is highly associated with cell expansion during tomato fruit growth.However,how endoreduplication coupled with cell size is regulated remains poorly understood.In this study,we identified a zinc finger gene SlPZF1(Solanum lycopersicum PERICARP-ASSOCIATED ZINC FINGER PROTEIN 1)that was highly expressed in the pericarp of developing fruits.Plants with altered SlPZF1 expression produced smaller fruits due to the reduction in cell size associated with weakened endoreduplication.Overexpressing SlPZF1 delayed cell division phase by enhancing early expression of several key cell cycle regulators including SlCYCD3;1 and two plant specific mitotic cyclin-dependent protein kinase(SlCDKB1 and SlCDKB2)in the pericarp tissue.Furthermore,we identified 14 putative SlPZF1 interacting proteins(PZFIs)via yeast two hybrid screening.Several PZFIs,including Pre-mRNA-splicing factor(SlSMP1/PZFI4),PAPA-1-like conserved region family protein(PZFI6),Fanconi anemia complex components(PZFI3 and PZFI10)and bHLH transcription factor LONESOME HIGHWAY(SILHW/PZFI14),are putatively involved in cell cycle regulation.Our results demonstrate that fruit growth in tomato requires balanced expression of the novel cell size regulator SlPZF1.

Cloning of a novel human zinc finger protein(ZNF199)cDNA

ZINC finger proteins play an important role in the regulation of gene expression by binding to DNA/RNA in a sequence-specific manner. Now nearly 200 human zinc finger genes have been cloned. According to the difference of the conservative domain, the zinc finger proteins can be classified into several types.Most of zinc finger proteins belong to the C2H2 type containing the consensus amino acid sequence YECX2CX3FX5LX2HX3HTGEKP, which is rather conservative especially in the link region between two zinc finger motifs （TGEKP）

Zinc-finger protein A20 protects hair cells from damage made by high-power microwave

Inner ear hair cells are important for maintaining hearing.Irreversible damage to hair cells is an important cause of sensorineural deafness.Electromagnetic radiation,especially high-power microwave,is an important threat to human health in modern society and war.However,it is not clear whether high-power microwave has an effect on cochlea hair cells.This study aimed to assess the effects of high-power microwave on cochlear hair cells in guinea pigs,and investigate the potential protection of these cells against high-power microwave-induced damage by recombinant adenovirus A20.Based on experimental results,a 65 W/cm^(2) irradiation density applied to guinea pigs in this study to establish a high-power microwave inner ear injury model.In addition,pAdEeay-1/A20 was injected via a round window into experimental guinea pig cochlea,whereas artificial perilymph was injected into the control group.Auditory function was assessed by testing the auditory brainstem response threshold,and damage to cochlear hair cells was investigated by cell counting and scanning electron microscopy observations of the basilar membrane.Inner ear injury was observed 6 hours after 65 W/cm^( 2 ) of irradiation and the auditory brainstem response threshold was significantly higher in the irradiation group(P<0.05)compared with other groups.Propidium iodide staining and scanning electron microscopy results indicated that significant morphological changes occurred after radiation,especially to inner hair cells,which exhibited remarkable damage and the presence of several unknown spherical substances.Auditory brainstem response threshold was decreased in the pAdEeay-1/A20 group compared with the artificial perilymph group;moreover,damage to hair cells was milder in the pAdEeay-1/A20 group compared with the control group(P<0.01).Thus,high-power microwave can cause damage to cochlear hair cells,as well as hearing loss with prolonged exposure and/or high dosage.In this regard,65 W/cm^( 2 ) of irradiation for 6 hours is a reliable target dose for observation of damage.The zinc finger protein A20 can protect cochlear hair cells from high-power microwave-induced damage and prevent further hearing loss.This study was approved by the Laboratory Animal Welfare and Ethics Committee of the Third Military Medical University,China on April 18,2017.

A vascular endothelial growth factor activating transcription factor increases the endothelial progenitor cells population and induces therapeutic angiogenesis in a type 1 diabetic mouse with hindlimb ischemia

Background Therapeutic angiogenesis has been shown to promote blood vessel growth and improve tissue perfusion. Vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） plays an important role in angiogenesis. However, it has side effects that limit its therapeutic utility in vivo, especially at high concentrations. This study aimed to investigate whether an intramuscular injection of a genetically engineered zinc finger VEGF-activating transcription factor modulates the endothelial progenitor cells （EPC） and promotes therapeutic angiogenesis in a hindlimb ischemia model with type 1 diabetes. Methods AIIoxan （intravenous injection） was used to induce type I diabetes in C57BL/6 mice （n=58）. The ischemic limb received ZFP-VEGF （125 pg ZFP-VEGF plasmid in 1% poloxamer） or placebo （1% poloxamer） intramuscularly. Mice were sacrificed 3, 5, 10, or 20 days post-injection. Limb blood flow was monitored using laser Doppler perfusion imaging. VEGF mRNA and protein expression were examined using real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. Capillary density, proliferation, and apoptosis were examined using immunohistochemistry techniques. Flow cytometry was used to detect the EPC population in bone marrow. Two-tailed Student＇s paired t test and repeated-measures analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis. Results ZFP-VEGF increased VEGF mRNA and protein expression at 3 and 10 days post-injection, and increased EPC in bone marrow at day 5 and 20 post-injection compared with controls （P〈0.05）. ZFP-VEGF treatment resulted in better perfusion recovery, a higher capillary density and proliferation, and less apoptosis compared with controls （P〈0.05）. Conclusions Intramuscular ZFP-VEGF injection promotes therapeutic angiogenesis in an ischemic hindlimb model with type 1 diabetes. This might be due to the effects of VEGF on cell survival and EPC recruitment.

A Xanthomonas transcription activator-like effector is trapped in nonhost plants for immunity

Xanthomonas oryzae pv.oryzae(Xoo),the causal agent of bacterial leaf blight in rice,delivers transcription activator-like effector(TALE)proteins into host cells to activate susceptibility or resistance(R)genes that promote disease or immunity,respectively.Nonhost plants serve as potential reservoirs of R genes;consequently,nonhost R genes may trap TALEs to trigger an immune response.In this study,we screened 17 Xoo TALEs for their ability to induce a hypersensitive response(HR)in the nonhost plant Nicotiana benthamiana(Nb);only AvrXa10 elicited an HR when transiently expressed in Nb.The HR generated by AvrXa10 required both the central repeat region and the activation domain,suggesting a specific interaction between AvrXa10 and a potential R-like gene in nonhost plants.Evans blue staining and ion leakage measurements confirmed that the AvrXa10-triggered HR was a form of cell death,and the transient expression of AvrXa10 in Nb induced immune responses.Genes targeted by AvrXa10 in the Nb genome were identified by transcriptome profiling and prediction of effector binding sites.Using several approaches(in vivo reporter assays,electrophoretic mobility-shift assays,targeted designer TALEs,and on-spot gene silencing),we confirmed that AvrXa10 targets NbZnFP1,a C2H2-type zinc finger protein that resides in the nucleus.Functional analysis indicated that overexpression of NbZnFP1 and its rice orthologs triggered cell death in rice protoplasts.An NbZnFP1 ortholog was also identified in tomato and was specifically activated by AvrXa10.These results demonstrate that NbZnFP1 is a nonhost R gene that traps AvrXa10 to promote plant immunity in Nb.

Role of the domains of human gene ZNF569 in MAPK pathway

Mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signal pathways are important components in signal transduction connecting cell-surface receptors to critical regulatory targets within cells,mediating multiple intracellular signal cascades and phosphorylating their target proteins,such as transcriptional factors ELK-1,SRE and AP-1,and finally activating the expression of intracellular functional genes.Zinc finger genes are some of the largest gene families in humans,and Zinc finger proteins play an essential role in altering gene expression by acting as transcription factors.Zinc finger proteins are also involved in multiple cell processes,including proliferation,differentiation and development,by interacting with DNA.Here,we reported the transcriptional activities of the domains of zinc finger gene ZNF569 taking advantage of MAPK pathway.Overexpression of ZNF569 in COS-7 cells dramatically inhibited the transcriptional repressor activities of SRE and AP-1,which was also confirmed by subcellular localization analysis.Report assays indicated that the potent repression domains of ZNF569 were the KRAB and ZNF motifs.The results suggested that ZNF569 protein might act as a transcriptional repressor in MAPK signaling pathway to regulate cellular processes.

Advanced studies on human gene ZNF322

The human novel gene of ZNF322 is cloned from human fetal cDNA library using the primers on the basis of the ZNF322 sequence analyzed with computer.The gene is located on Chromosome 6p22.1,and encodes a protein con-sisting of 402 amino acid residues and containing nine tandem C_(2)H_(2)-type zinc-finger motifs.Northern blot result shows that the gene is expressed in all examined adult tissues.Sub-cellular location study indicates that ZNF322-EGFP fusion protein is distributed in the nucleus and cytoplasm.Reporter gene assays show that ZNF322 is a potential transcriptional activator.

The expression status of ZIC2 is an independent prognostic marker of hepatocellular carcinoma

Background:Zinc finger protein of cerebellum 2(ZIC2)is a transcriptional activator or repressor that is important for the organogenesis of the central nervous system.Previous studies have reported that ZIC2 is widely upregulated in a variety of tumors.Methods:Oncomine database was used to evaluate the expression levels of ZIC2 in hepatocellular car-cinoma(HCC)and normal liver tissues.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immu-nohistochemistry were conducted to validate the results from the database.Cox regression analysis and survival curves were performed to assess the survival effect of ZIC2 in HCC.Results:Increased expression of ZIC2 was detected in HCC tissues compared with normal liver tissues.In addition,patients with high ZIC2 levels had a poor prognosis.Multivariate analysis showed that clinical stage(T or M classification)and ZIC2 levels were independent prognostic factors for overall survival.Moreover,a subgroup analysis revealed that patients with moderate or poor grade tumors,T1e2 tumors,N0 tumors,early American Joint Committee on Cancer(AJCC)stage,and old age were more likely to present with overexpression of ZIC2.To conclude,ZIC2 is upregulated in HCC and associated with the histology and survival of HCC patients.

ZFP462 is potential biomarker for diagnosis of coronary heart disease

Background Zinc Finger Protein 462 （ZFP462） has been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases, but itsrole in coronary heart disease （CHD） is unknown. Methods We constructed acute myocardial infarction （AMI） rat model and enrolled the plasma samples from patients with/without CHD, who were admitted to the Department of Cardiology, Guangdong General Hospital. The expression of ZFP462 was detected in different areas of cardiac AMI rat model and patient plasma samples by real-time PCR. Moreover, all the patients＇ clinical data were collected in our database. Results In rat model of AMI, the expression of ZFP462 was increased significantly in theheart after 40-min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Moreover, the levelof ZFP462 in plasma of patients with CHD was significantly higher compared with the controlgroup. Conclusions ZFP462 can be potential biomarker of CHD.