The ZNF471 antibody is a research tool designed to target the zinc finger protein 471 (ZNF471), a member of the Krüppel-associated box (KRAB) domain-containing zinc finger protein (KZNF) family. ZNF471 is a C2H2-type zinc finger transcription factor believed to play roles in gene regulation, particularly through epigenetic mechanisms. It contains multiple zinc finger motifs that facilitate DNA binding and a KRAB domain, which often recruits chromatin-modifying complexes to mediate transcriptional repression.
Studies suggest ZNF471 may act as a tumor suppressor, with its expression frequently silenced via promoter hypermethylation in cancers such as colorectal, gastric, and cervical carcinomas. This epigenetic inactivation is associated with dysregulated cell proliferation and tumor progression. The ZNF471 antibody is utilized in molecular biology to detect and quantify ZNF471 protein levels, assess its subcellular localization (typically nuclear), and investigate its interaction partners or downstream targets.
Applications include Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). Researchers employ this antibody to explore ZNF471's role in carcinogenesis, epigenetic silencing, and potential therapeutic strategies targeting DNA methylation or histone modification pathways. Its specificity and validation in relevant experimental models are critical for ensuring reliable data in studies linking ZNF471 loss to disease mechanisms.