ZNF gene family

Genes in the ZNF family provide instructions for making zinc finger proteins, which are regulatory proteins that are involved in many cellular functions. The C2H2 zinc finger proteins, also known as classical zinc fingers, are the most well-studied subset of this family. They are a very common type of protein in animals, plants, and fungi. An estimated 700 human genes provide instructions for making these proteins.

Zinc finger proteins contain one or more short regions called zinc finger domains. These regions include a specific pattern of protein building blocks (amino acids) and one or more charged atoms of zinc (zinc ions). Specifically, the C2H2 zinc finger domain consists of a chain of two cysteines and two histidines, which fold around a single zinc ion. This configuration makes C2H2 zinc finger proteins very stable and enables them to attach (bind) firmly to other molecules.

C2H2 zinc finger proteins bind primarily to DNA. In most cases, they attach to regions near certain genes and turn the genes on and off as needed. Proteins that bind to DNA and regulate the activity of particular genes are known as transcription factors. Some C2H2 zinc finger proteins can also bind to other molecules, including RNA (a chemical cousin of DNA) and proteins.