A broad role for the zinc finger protein ZNF202 in human lipid metabolism

The ZNF202 gene resides in a chromosomal region linked genetically to low high density lipoprotein cholesterol in Utah families. Here we show that the ZNF202 gene product is a transcriptional repressor that binds to elements found predominantly in genes that participate in lipid metabolism. Among its targets are structural components of lipoprotein particles (apolipoproteins AIV, CIII, and E), enzymes involved in lipid processing (lipoprotein lipase, lecithin cholesteryl ester transferase), and several genes involved in processes related to energy metabolism and vascular disease. Based on the linkage and apparent transcriptional function of ZNF202, we propose that ZNF202 is a candidate susceptibility gene for human dyslipidemia.