Zkscan17, also known as Nizp1 and Zfp496, is a zinc-finger protein. It functions as a transcriptional co-repressor for the NSD1 histone methyl transferase. The gene includes a SCAN-domain, a KRAB-domain, four C2H2 Krüppel related zinc fingers, and a C2HR domain for transcriptional repression and protein interaction with NSD1 [2].

The gene architecture of bovine and ovine ZNF496 is similar to mouse Zkscan17. A 5-exon murine antisense transcript is complementary to the 5' untranslated Zkscan17 region, suggesting a regulatory function. Also, alternative splicing of the Nizp1 (Zkscan17) gene generates protein isoforms with different SCAN-domain compositions and sub-cellular localizations [1,2].

In conclusion, Zkscan17 plays important roles in transcriptional regulation through its domains and alternative splicing. Its similarity in gene architecture across species and the presence of a potentially regulatory antisense transcript highlight its significance. The study of Zkscan17, especially through the understanding of its alternative splicing, contributes to our knowledge of transcriptional regulation and potentially related biological processes and diseases.