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ZNF382: A transcription inhibitor down-regulated in multiple tumors due to promoter methylation

Shi Chen1, Zheng Xiao1, Jun Zhou1

  • 1Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular & Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, Hengyang School of Medicine, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.

Clinica Chimica Acta; International Journal of Clinical Chemistry
|November 4, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Zinc finger protein 382 (ZNF382) acts as a transcription inhibitor and is often downregulated in tumors due to promoter hypermethylation. DNA hypomethylation treatments show potential for anti-cancer therapy by restoring ZNF382 expression.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Zinc finger protein 382 (ZNF382), a KRAB-ZFPs family member, functions as a transcription inhibitor.
  • ZNF382 is frequently downregulated in various cancers, primarily due to promoter hypermethylation.
  • Promoter CpG island methylation is a key mechanism inhibiting ZNF382 gene expression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the structure, biological functions, and expression patterns of ZNF382.
  • To elucidate the role of ZNF382 in the development and progression of multiple cancers.
  • To explore the potential of DNA hypomethylation therapy for cancer treatment by targeting ZNF382 expression.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of ZNF382 structure, function, and cancer-related studies.
  • Analysis of ZNF382 expression regulation by promoter methylation.
  • Discussion of DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi) like 5-azacytidine in modulating ZNF382 methylation.

Main Results:

  • ZNF382's role as a transcription inhibitor is confirmed.
  • Promoter hypermethylation significantly downregulates ZNF382 in numerous tumors.
  • DNMTi can induce ZNF382 hypomethylation, potentially reversing its tumor-suppressive function loss.

Conclusions:

  • ZNF382 dysregulation via promoter methylation is implicated in cancer.
  • Restoring ZNF382 expression through DNA hypomethylation presents a promising therapeutic strategy.
  • Further clinical investigation of DNMTi for ZNF382-related cancers is warranted.
Keywords:
DemethylationHypomethylation drugsKRAB-ZFPsMethylationZNF382

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