Details for: ZNF384

Gene ID: 171017

Gene Type:  Protein-coding  - A gene that serves as a template for producing a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule, which is then translated into a functional protein.

Symbol: ZNF384

Ensembl ID: ENSG00000126746

Description: zinc finger protein 384

Selected Context(s):  Overall

Cell Significance Landscape

Contexts:

Associated with

  • Dna-binding transcription activator activity, rna polymerase ii-specific
    (GO:0001228)
  • Metal ion binding
    (GO:0046872)
  • Nucleus
    (GO:0005634)
  • Positive regulation of transcription by rna polymerase ii
    (GO:0045944)
  • Regulation of transcription by rna polymerase ii
    (GO:0006357)
  • Rna polymerase ii cis-regulatory region sequence-specific dna binding
    (GO:0000978)
  • Sequence-specific double-stranded dna binding
    (GO:1990837)

Significant Cells

Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores for the chosen context(s)

  • plasmablast CL0000980
    CSI 4.22
    rCSI 3.32%
    PRS 92.33
  • double negative thymocyte CL0002489
    CSI 3.42
    rCSI 2.38%
    PRS 96.89
  • central memory CD8-positive, alpha-beta T cell CL0000907
    CSI 3.23
    rCSI 2.18%
    PRS 97.36
  • CD14-low, CD16-positive monocyte CL0002396
    CSI 3.19
    rCSI 2.46%
    PRS 92.81
  • neural crest cell CL0011012
    CSI 3.08
    rCSI 2.43%
    PRS 82.61
  • plasmacytoid dendritic cell, human CL0001058
    CSI 3.04
    rCSI 2.13%
    PRS 92.82
  • choroid plexus epithelial cell CL0000706
    CSI 3
    rCSI 4.91%
    PRS 82.49
  • group 3 innate lymphoid cell CL0001071
    CSI 2.86
    rCSI 2.15%
    PRS 93.19
  • stem cell CL0000034
    CSI 2.69
    rCSI 2.59%
    PRS 85.71
  • pro-B cell CL0000826
    CSI 2.61
    rCSI 2.16%
    PRS 91.26
  • naive T cell CL0000898
    CSI 2.61
    rCSI 1.82%
    PRS 97.56
  • astrocyte of the cerebral cortex CL0002605
    CSI 2.26
    rCSI 5.06%
    PRS 76.94
  • ependymal cell CL0000065
    CSI 2.19
    rCSI 4.44%
    PRS 71.9
  • pvalb GABAergic cortical interneuron CL4023018
    CSI 2
    rCSI 2.49%
    PRS 74.35
  • goblet cell CL0000160
    CSI 1.97
    rCSI 1.86%
    PRS 87.68
  • VIP GABAergic cortical interneuron CL4023016
    CSI 1.85
    rCSI 2.21%
    PRS 76.52
  • caudal ganglionic eminence derived cortical interneuron CL4023064
    CSI 1.8
    rCSI 3.18%
    PRS 75.93
  • lamp5 GABAergic cortical interneuron CL4023011
    CSI 1.7
    rCSI 2.85%
    PRS 76.45
  • peripheral nervous system neuron CL2000032
    CSI 1.56
    rCSI 2.12%
    PRS 83.46
  • chondrocyte CL0000138
    CSI 1.49
    rCSI 2.37%
    PRS 85.01

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this specific cell.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.
Network Configuration

Explore relationships of the current gene. Select an Interaction Source: 'ONTOLOGY' for shared pathways (GO/Reactome) or 'STRING' for protein-protein interactions. Further refine by selecting context genes and comparing Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores between baseline and target cell types and their specific contexts.

Comma-separated if multiple.
Comma-separated if multiple.
Legend:
  • Query Gene
  • Node Color (Target Cell CSI, relative to current network):
    • Very High
    • High
    • Medium
    • Low
    • Very Low
    • CSI N/A
  • Node Size: Proportional to Target Cell CSI magnitude
  • STRING PPI Edge
  • Shared Pathway Edge (ONTOLOGY)

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Other Information

This section provides additional information about the gene, including a description generated by an AI language model and details about associated proteins.

## Summary [ZNF384](/details-gene/171017) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 12p13.31 that encodes Zinc finger protein 384. Functionally, it is characterized as a nuclear DNA-binding transcription activator. It specifically binds to cis-regulatory regions to positively regulate transcription by RNA polymerase II. Expression data indicates that [ZNF384](/details-gene/171017) has a broad but significant role across multiple biological systems. Its highest significance is observed in various immune cell populations, including terminally differentiated [plasmablasts](/details-cell/CL0000980) and developing [double negative thymocytes](/details-cell/CL0002489), suggesting a critical role in lymphocyte development and function. Additionally, notable expression in neural and epithelial cell types points towards pleiotropic functions in tissue development and homeostasis. ## Cellular Roles and Expression Landscape The expression profile of [ZNF384](/details-gene/171017) highlights its importance as a key transcriptional regulator, particularly within the hematopoietic system. **Overall**, the gene shows the highest significance in cells of the adaptive and innate immune systems. It is a top marker for [plasmablasts](/details-cell/CL0000980) (CSI: 4.22), the terminally differentiated, antibody-secreting stage of B lymphocytes. Its high significance is also evident across various stages of T cell development and differentiation, including [double negative thymocytes](/details-cell/CL0002489) (CSI: 3.42), [central memory CD8-positive, alpha-beta T cells](/details-cell/CL0000907) (CSI: 3.23), and [naive T cells](/details-cell/CL0000898) (CSI: 2.61). The gene's role extends to other lymphoid lineages such as [pro-B cells](/details-cell/CL0000826) (CSI: 2.61) and [group 3 innate lymphoid cells](/details-cell/CL0001071) (CSI: 2.86), as well as myeloid cells like [CD14-low, CD16-positive monocytes](/details-cell/CL0002396) (CSI: 3.19) and [plasmacytoid dendritic cells, human](/details-cell/CL0001058) (CSI: 3.04). This pattern suggests [ZNF384](/details-gene/171017) is involved in fundamental transcriptional programs governing immune cell fate and function. Beyond the immune system, [ZNF384](/details-gene/171017) shows significant expression in diverse cell types, pointing to broader developmental roles. It is highly significant in multipotent [neural crest cells](/details-cell/CL0011012) (CSI: 3.08) and [stem cells](/details-cell/CL0000034) (CSI: 2.69). Furthermore, it is expressed in several specialized cell types within the central nervous system, including [choroid plexus epithelial cells](/details-cell/CL0000706), [astrocytes of the cerebral cortex](/details-cell/CL0002605), [ependymal cells](/details-cell/CL0000065), and [pvalb GABAergic cortical interneurons](/details-cell/CL4023018). This diverse expression landscape suggests that [ZNF384](/details-gene/171017) is a pleiotropic transcription factor that regulates distinct gene networks depending on the cellular context. ## Pathways and Molecular Function The functional annotations for [ZNF384](/details-gene/171017) are highly consistent with its role as a transcriptional regulator. It is primarily located in the [nucleus](/details-cell/GO:0005634) and is involved in the [positive regulation of transcription by rna polymerase ii](/details-cell/GO:0045944). Its molecular function is defined by its ability to bind DNA in a sequence-specific manner, specifically as a [dna-binding transcription activator activity, rna polymerase ii-specific](/details-cell/GO:0001228) and via [rna polymerase ii cis-regulatory region sequence-specific dna binding](/details-cell/GO:0000978). The predicted [metal ion binding](/details-cell/GO:0046872) capability is characteristic of its identity as a zinc finger protein, a structural motif essential for its DNA-binding activity. This core function as a transcriptional activator likely underlies its significant role in directing the diverse cellular phenotypes observed in its expression profile, from controlling developmental pathways in [stem cells](/details-cell/CL0000034) to activating effector programs in [plasmablasts](/details-cell/CL0000980). ## Research Directions The broad yet specific expression pattern of [ZNF384](/details-gene/171017) in critical cell types provides a foundation for several testable hypotheses regarding its precise biological roles. 1. **Hypothesis 1:** Given its maximal significance in [plasmablasts](/details-cell/CL0000980), [ZNF384](/details-gene/171017) may function as a master regulator of terminal B cell differentiation, directly activating genes essential for the massive expansion of the endoplasmic reticulum and the high-rate secretion of immunoglobulins. 2. **Hypothesis 2:** The high significance of [ZNF384](/details-gene/171017) in multiple progenitor cells ([double negative thymocyte](/details-cell/CL0002489), [pro-B cell](/details-cell/CL0000826), [neural crest cell](/details-cell/CL0011012)) suggests it plays a conserved role in early lineage commitment and differentiation, possibly by establishing chromatin accessibility at key developmental loci. ### Proposed Experimental Approach To test the first hypothesis regarding its role in [plasmablast](/details-cell/CL0000980) function, a loss-of-function study could be performed. This would involve isolating primary human B cells and inducing their differentiation into [plasmablasts](/details-cell/CL0000980) *in vitro* using stimuli such as IL-21 and CD40L. CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knockout of [ZNF384](/details-gene/171017) would be performed prior to differentiation. The impact of its deletion would be assessed by quantifying the efficiency of [plasmablast](/details-cell/CL0000980) formation via flow cytometry (monitoring CD27 and CD38 expression) and measuring immunoglobulin secretion by ELISA. Complementary transcriptomic (RNA-seq) and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) analyses in control cells would identify the direct downstream gene targets regulated by [ZNF384](/details-gene/171017) during this process. ### Therapeutic Potential As an intracellular transcription factor, [ZNF384](/details-gene/171017) is a challenging direct target for traditional small molecule inhibitors or antibody-based therapies. However, its crucial role in lymphocyte development and its known involvement in gene fusions associated with certain types of acute lymphoblastic leukemia make it a protein of significant clinical interest. Therapeutic strategies would likely focus on indirect modulation, such as targeting its downstream effectors or developing proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) to induce its degradation. Understanding its specific transcriptional targets in pathological contexts could reveal more druggable nodes for intervention.

Genular Protein ID: 3671480280

Symbol: ZN384_HUMAN

Name: Zinc finger protein 384

UniProtKB Accession Codes:

Q8TF68 O15407 Q7Z722 Q8N938

Database IDs:

AGR 1 AlphaFoldDB 1 Antibodypedia 1 Bgee 1 BioGRID 1 BioGRID-ORCS 1 BioMuta 1 CCDS 3 CTD 1 ChiTaRS 1 DMDM 1 DNASU 1 DisGeNET 1 EMBL 6 Ensembl 4 ExpressionAtlas 1 GO 6 Gene3D 1 GeneCards 1 GeneTree 1 GeneWiki 1 GenomeRNAi 1 GlyCosmos 1 GlyGen 1 HGNC 1 HOGENOM 1 HPA 1 InParanoid 1 IntAct 1 InterPro 3 KEGG 1 MIM 1 MINT 1 MassIVE 1 NCBI Taxonomy 1 OMA 1 OpenTargets 1 OrthoDB 1 PANTHER 2 PRO 1 PROSITE 2 PathwayCommons 1 PaxDb 1 PeptideAtlas 1 Pfam 2 PharmGKB 1 Pharos 1 PhosphoSitePlus 1 PhylomeDB 1 Proteomes 1 ProteomicsDB 3 Pumba 1 RNAct 1 RefSeq 8 SIGNOR 1 SMART 1 SMR 1 STRING 1 SUPFAM 1 SignaLink 1 SwissPalm 1 TreeFam 1 UCSC 1 VEuPathDB 1 eggNOG 1 iPTMnet 1 jPOST 1 neXtProt 1

Citations:

PubMed ID: 14702039

Title: Complete sequencing and characterization of 21,243 full-length human cDNAs.

PubMed ID: 14702039

DOI: 10.1038/ng1285

PubMed ID: 16541075

Title: The finished DNA sequence of human chromosome 12.

PubMed ID: 16541075

DOI: 10.1038/nature04569

PubMed ID: 15489334

Title: The status, quality, and expansion of the NIH full-length cDNA project: the Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC).

PubMed ID: 15489334

DOI: 10.1101/gr.2596504

PubMed ID: 9225980

Title: cDNAs with long CAG trinucleotide repeats from human brain.

PubMed ID: 9225980

DOI: 10.1007/s004390050476

PubMed ID: 18669648

Title: A quantitative atlas of mitotic phosphorylation.

PubMed ID: 18669648

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0805139105

PubMed ID: 20068231

Title: Quantitative phosphoproteomics reveals widespread full phosphorylation site occupancy during mitosis.

PubMed ID: 20068231

DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.2000475

Sequence Information:

  • Length: 577
  • Mass: 63219
  • Checksum: 5899CAB02DBBE0CB
  • Sequence:
    • MEESHFNSNP YFWPSIPTVS GQIENTMFIN KMKDQLLPEK GCGLAPPHYP TLLTVPASVS 
LPSGISMDTE SKSDQLTPHS QASVTQNITV VPVPSTGLMT AGVSCSQRWR REGSQSRGPG 
LVITSPSGSL VTTASSAQTF PISAPMIVSA LPPGSQALQV VPDLSKKVAS TLTEEGGGGG 
GGGGSVAPKP PRGRKKKRML ESGLPEMNDP YVLSPEDDDD HQKDGKTYRC RMCSLTFYSK 
SEMQIHSKSH TETKPHKCPH CSKTFANSSY LAQHIRIHSG AKPYSCNFCE KSFRQLSHLQ 
QHTRIHSKMH TETIKPHKCP HCSKTFANTS YLAQHLRIHS GAKPYNCSYC QKAFRQLSHL 
QQHTRIHTGD RPYKCAHPGC EKAFTQLSNL QSHRRQHNKD KPFKCHNCHR AYTDAASLEV 
HLSTHTVKHA KVYTCTICSR AYTSETYLMK HMRKHNPPDL QQQVQAAAAA AAVAQAQAQA 
QAQAQAQAQA QAQAQASQAS QQQQQQQQQQ QQQQQQPPPH FQSPGAAPQG GGGGDSNPNP 
PPQCSFDLTP YKTAEHHKDI CLTVTTSTIQ VEHLASS

Genular Protein ID: 3651641464

Symbol: A0A804HJE2_HUMAN

Name: N/A

UniProtKB Accession Codes:

A0A804HJE2

Database IDs:

ARBA 4 AlphaFoldDB 1 Bgee 1 CTD 1 DisGeNET 1 EMBL 2 Ensembl 2 GO 1 Gene3D 1 GeneTree 1 HGNC 1 InterPro 3 MANE-Select 1 NCBI Taxonomy 1 PANTHER 2 PROSITE 3 PROSITE-ProRule 1 PeptideAtlas 2 Pfam 1 Proteomes 2 ProteomicsDB 1 RefSeq 5 SAM 1 SMART 1 SMR 1 SUPFAM 1

Citations:

PubMed ID: 11237011

Title: Initial sequencing and analysis of the human genome.

PubMed ID: 11237011

DOI: 10.1038/35057062

PubMed ID: 15496913

Title: Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome.

PubMed ID: 15496913

DOI: 10.1038/nature03001

PubMed ID: 16541075

Title: The finished DNA sequence of human chromosome 12.

PubMed ID: 16541075

DOI: 10.1038/nature04569

Sequence Information:

  • Length: 608
  • Mass: 66183
  • Checksum: E07A6BF14169FD6C
  • Sequence:
    • MEESHFNSNP YFWPSIPTVS GQIENTMFIN KMKDQLLPEK GCGLAPPHYP TLLTVPASVS 
LPSGISMDTE SKSDQLTPHS QASVTQNITV VPVPSTGLMT AGVSCSQRWR REGSQSRGPG 
LVITSPSGSL VTTASSAQTF PISAPMIVSA LPPGSQALQV VPDLSKKVAS TLTEEGGGGG 
GGGGSVAPKP PRGRKKKRML ESGLPEMNDP YVLSPEDDDD HQKDGKTYRS EGNCGTGNGQ 
SLGLMDSVPG STTNLLCDPG CRMCSLTFYS KSEMQIHSKS HTETKPHKCP HCSKTFANSS 
YLAQHIRIHS GAKPYSCNFC EKSFRQLSHL QQHTRIHSKM HTETIKPHKC PHCSKTFANT 
SYLAQHLRIH SGAKPYNCSY CQKAFRQLSH LQQHTRIHTG DRPYKCAHPG CEKAFTQLSN 
LQSHRRQHNK DKPFKCHNCH RAYTDAASLE VHLSTHTVKH AKVYTCTICS RAYTSETYLM 
KHMRKHNPPD LQQQVQAAAA AAAVAQAQAQ AQAQAQAQAQ AQAQAQASQA SQQQQQQQQQ 
QQQQQQQPPP HFQSPGAAPQ GGGGGDSNPN PPPQCSFDLT PYKTAEHHKD ICLTVTTSTI 
QVEHLASS