Identification and characterization of human ZNF18 gene in silico

Zinc finger protein genes are regulatory transcription factors that interact directly with DNA and/or RNA. Here, we identified the ZNF18 gene by using bioinformatics. Human ZNF18 gene, consisting of 9 exons, was located within human genome sequences RP11-1096G20 (AC005410.3). Complete coding sequence of human ZNF18 cDNA was determined by FLJ35337 cDNA (AK092656), which was identified by using partial coding sequence of human ZNF18 cDNA (X52342) as a query. Human, mouse, and rat ZNF18 showed 77-92% total-amino acid identity. N-terminal leucine rich region, krueppel-associated box, and C-terminal three C2H2 type zinc finger motifs were identified within ZNF18 protein. This is the first report on identification and characterization of the ZNF18 gene.