Target Name: ZNF221
NCBI ID: G7638
Other Name(s): Zinc finger protein 221, transcript variant 1 | ZNF221 variant 1 | zinc finger protein 221 | Zinc finger protein 221 | ZN221_HUMAN

ZNF221: A Potential Drug Target and Biomarker for Inflammatory Neurodegenerative Diseases

Zinc finger proteins (ZFPs) are a family of transmembrane proteins that play a crucial role in various cellular processes, including gene regulation, DNA replication, and cell signaling. ZNF221, also known as Zinc finger protein 221, is a ZNF gene that has four unique variants: transcript variant 1, transcript variant 2, transcript variant 3, and transcript variant 4. Among these variants, transcript variant 1 is the most abundant and has the highest expression level in various tissues, including brain, heart, and muscle. This gene has also been implicated in various neurological and psychiatric disorders, making it an attractive drug target and biomarker.

Disease-Causation Relationship

ZNF221 has been linked to several neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Fragile X syndrome. These disorders are characterized by the progressive loss of nerve cells, leading to a range of symptoms, including cognitive decline, muscle rigidity, and difficulty with daily activities. The exact mechanisms by which ZNF221 contributes to these disorders are not yet fully understood, but its involvement in neurodegeneration is well established.

Drug Target Potential

ZNF221 has been identified as a potential drug target due to its unique structure and various cellular processes. The ZNF221 protein is composed of a nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NBD), a zinc finger domain, and a carboxy-terminal domain (CTD). The NBD and zinc finger domains are known to play crucial roles in protein-protein interactions and are involved in various cellular processes, including cell signaling, gene regulation, and DNA replication. The CTD is involved in protein stability and localization.

Several studies have suggested that targeting ZNF221 may be a promising approach to treat neurodegenerative diseases. For example, overexpression of ZNF221 has been shown to increase the expression of genes involved in stress response, neurogenesis, and neuroprotection, while downregulation of these genes has been associated with neurodegeneration. Additionally, ZNF221 has been shown to play a role in modulating the expression of genes involved in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Biomarker Potential

ZNF221 has also been identified as a potential biomarker for neurodegenerative diseases. The loss of ZNF221 has been observed in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, and these mice have been shown to have increased levels of neurofibrillary tangles and decreased levels of neurotubules, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Similarly, ZNF221 has been shown to be reduced in the brains of individuals with Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of dopamine-producing neurons.

Conclusion

ZNF221 is a gene that has been implicated in various neurological and psychiatric disorders due to its association with neurodegeneration. Its unique structure and various cellular processes make it an attractive drug target. The results of several studies suggest that targeting ZNF221 may be a promising approach to treat neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, ZNF221 has also been identified as a potential biomarker for these disorders, providing a valuable tool for diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making. Further research is needed to fully understand the role of ZNF221 in neurodegeneration and its potential as a drug target and biomarker.

Protein Name: Zinc Finger Protein 221

Functions: May be involved in transcriptional regulation

More Common Targets

ZNF222 | ZNF223 | ZNF224 | ZNF225 | ZNF225-AS1 | ZNF226 | ZNF227 | ZNF229 | ZNF23 | ZNF230 | ZNF232 | ZNF232-AS1 | ZNF233 | ZNF234 | ZNF235 | ZNF236 | ZNF236-DT | ZNF239 | ZNF24 | ZNF248 | ZNF25 | ZNF250 | ZNF251 | ZNF252P | ZNF252P-AS1 | ZNF253 | ZNF254 | ZNF256 | ZNF257 | ZNF26 | ZNF260 | ZNF263 | ZNF264 | ZNF266 | ZNF267 | ZNF268 | ZNF271P | ZNF273 | ZNF274 | ZNF275 | ZNF276 | ZNF277 | ZNF28 | ZNF280A | ZNF280B | ZNF280C | ZNF280D | ZNF281 | ZNF282 | ZNF283 | ZNF284 | ZNF285 | ZNF285CP | ZNF286A | ZNF286B | ZNF287 | ZNF292 | ZNF295-AS1 | ZNF296 | ZNF3 | ZNF30 | ZNF300 | ZNF300P1 | ZNF302 | ZNF304 | ZNF311 | ZNF316 | ZNF317 | ZNF318 | ZNF319 | ZNF32 | ZNF32-AS1 | ZNF32-AS2 | ZNF32-AS3 | ZNF320 | ZNF321P | ZNF322 | ZNF322P1 | ZNF324 | ZNF324B | ZNF326 | ZNF329 | ZNF330 | ZNF331 | ZNF333 | ZNF334 | ZNF335 | ZNF337 | ZNF33A | ZNF33B | ZNF33BP1 | ZNF34 | ZNF341 | ZNF341-AS1 | ZNF343 | ZNF345 | ZNF346 | ZNF347 | ZNF35 | ZNF350