ZEB1

ZEB1 (Zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ZEB1 gene. It is a member of the ZEB protein family, and functions as a transcription factor, playing a crucial role in various biological processes.

Function

ZEB1 is a DNA-binding protein that inhibits the expression of adenomatous polyposis coli, a protein involved in the regulation of cell growth and division. It is also involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, a process that is critical for the development of tissues and organs. ZEB1 is known to interact with SMAD proteins, which are intracellular proteins that transmit extracellular signals from transforming growth factor beta ligands to the nucleus where they activate downstream gene transcription.

Clinical significance

Mutations in the ZEB1 gene are associated with a number of diseases. For example, they have been implicated in Posterior Polymorphous Corneal Dystrophy, a rare genetic disorder affecting the cornea, and Mowat-Wilson syndrome, a condition characterized by intellectual disability and distinctive facial features. In addition, ZEB1 has been found to be overexpressed in several types of cancer, including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer, and is thought to contribute to the progression and metastasis of these diseases.

See also

• ZEB2
• Zinc finger
• Homeobox
• Transcription factor
• Epithelial-mesenchymal transition