ZNF148: Proteins and Enzymes

ZBP-89, also known as BFCOL1, BERF1 and ZNF 148, is a zinc finger transcription factor that is universally expressed. ZBP-89, a Kruppel-like repressor protein, is the silencer element binding factor for Vimentin. ZBP-89 has been shown to bind to GC-rich DNA elements in promoters for gastrin, ornithine decarboxylase and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 (also designated Cip1 or WAF1). ZBP-89 expression is induced by trans-retinoic acid or butyrate, which also induces terminal differentiation of colon cancer cells. ZBP-89 cooperates with histone acetyltransferase coactivator p300 in the regulation of p21, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor whose associated gene is a target gene of p53. ZBP-89 also regulates cell proliferation, in part, through its ability to directly bind the p53 protein and retard its nuclear export. Elevated levels of ZBP-89 induce growth arrest and apoptosis in human gastrointestinal cells.