Zfp287, also known as SKAT-2, is a Kruppel-type zinc finger gene. It has 14 C2H2-type zinc fingers tandemly arrayed at its C-terminus along with N-terminal SCAN box and KRAB domains. It may play a role in the selective regulation of cytokine genes in T cells, especially in Th2 cells [1].

It is selectively expressed by murine Th2 cells. Its expression is tissue-restricted at the RNA level, being detectable only in the brain, at low levels in the kidney, spleen, and few hematopoietic cell lines. In antigen-stimulated CD4(+) T cells, its expression peaks after 2-3 days of culture under Th2 but not Th1 biasing conditions, similar to GATA-3. In transfection experiments, it up-regulates the activity of the IL-4 but not the IL-5 promoter in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate/ionomycin-stimulated EL4 cells, while GATA-3 can activate both [1].

In conclusion, Zfp287 (SKAT-2) is a Th2-specific gene with a potential role in the selective regulation of cytokine genes in T cells. The studies on its expression pattern and promoter-regulating ability in cell-based experiments provide insights into its function in Th2-related biological processes, which may contribute to understanding immune-related diseases [1].