Banp, short for Btg3-associated nuclear protein, is a transcription factor that binds to the CGCG element in the mouse and human genome [1]. It functions as a strong CpG-island (CGI) activator controlling essential metabolic genes in pluripotent stem and terminally differentiated neuronal cells [1]. DNA methylation of its motif repels its binding, epigenetically restricting most binding to CGIs [1]. It also has a role in tumor suppression and is associated with the regulation of DNA damage response and chromosome segregation during the cell cycle [2].

In zebrafish, Banp mutants show mitotic cell accumulation and apoptosis in the developing retina [2]. DNA replication stress and tp53-dependent DNA damage responses are activated in these mutants, suggesting Banp is required for DNA replication and damage repair [2]. RNA-and ATAC-sequencing identified 31 candidate direct Banp target genes, including wrnip1 for DNA replication stress recovery and cenpt and ncapg for chromosome segregation during mitosis [2].

In conclusion, Banp is crucial for cell-cycle progression and cell survival, regulating DNA damage responses and chromosome segregation during mitosis [2]. Its role in cancer-related processes such as in residual hepatocellular carcinoma and lung cancer further emphasizes its importance in understanding disease mechanisms [3,4,5]. The study of Banp using animal models like zebrafish provides in-vivo evidence of its essential biological functions and potential implications in cancer research.