The murine BTB/POZ zinc finger gene Znf131: predominant expression in the developing central nervous system, in adult brain, testis, and thymus

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2002 Aug 16;296(2):319-27. doi: 10.1016/s0006-291x(02)00850-1.

Abstract

The Znf131/ZNF131 protein belongs to the superfamily of POK proteins containing a BTB/POZ domain in its N-terminal part and 5 typical C2H2 zinc fingers and an additional C2HC zinc finger structure in its C-terminal region. In mouse and human two alternatively spliced transcripts are expressed from the Znf131/ZNF131 gene, resulting from intraexonic splicing. While the longer transcript encodes for three double zinc finger structures the shorter transcript lacks the region coding for the first zinc finger. Although the murine Znf131 gene is ubiquitously expressed, expression analysis applying whole mount in situ hybridization showed a predominant expression in the developing central nervous system with strongest signals in the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain areas and in the neural tube. Further dominant expression was seen in embryonic limb buds. In human adult tissues a predominant expression of ZNF131 was seen in different brain areas, i.e., the occipital and temporal lobe, the nucleus caudatus, hippocampus, and the cerebellum as well as in testis and thymus. Therefore, it is possible that Znf131/ZNF131 plays a role during development and organogenesis as well as in the function of the adult central nervous system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing
  • Animals
  • Brain / cytology
  • Brain / embryology
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Central Nervous System / embryology*
  • Central Nervous System / metabolism*
  • Embryo, Mammalian / metabolism*
  • Embryonic and Fetal Development
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Testis / metabolism*
  • Thymus Gland / metabolism*
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Zinc Fingers

Substances

  • ABTB1 protein, human
  • Abtb1 protein, mouse
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Transcription Factors