From Thanatos to transcription: the emerging biology of THAP proteins

The Thanatos-associated (THAP) protein family, named after the Greek god of death, comprises zinc-finger proteins characterized by a DNA-binding domain called the THAP domain. Although THAP1 and THAP11 have been extensively studied, the broader family of twelve human THAP-domain containing proteins is increasingly recognized as an important but underexplored group of transcriptional regulators. Evidence now links THAP proteins to a wide range of cellular processes, including cell-cycle progression, DNA repair, apoptosis, proteostasis, and mitochondrial function. Dysregulation of these proteins has also been implicated in cancer and neurological disorders, underscoring their medical relevance. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of their structure, localization, transcriptional roles, and disease associations. We also present new structural analyses that shed light on conserved and divergent features across the THAP family. Finally, we will highlight their newly appreciated functions in stem and progenitor cell biology.