Zfp212, the mouse homolog of human ZNF212, is a zinc-finger protein. It is highly conserved in mammals and abundant in the brain, especially in the cerebellum. It is likely involved in gene regulation processes, and its study using genetic models like knockout mice can provide insights into its physiological functions [1].

In Zfp212-KO mice, after 20 months of age, there is a reduced survival rate compared to wild-type mice. Adult Zfp212-KO mice show GABAergic Purkinje cell degeneration in the cerebellum and aberrant locomotion. Among 39 monitored ataxia-associated genes in the cerebellum, Pld3 expression was tightly regulated by ZNF212 overexpression or Zfp212 knockdown in the HT22 cell line. The TATTTC sequence was identified as a recognition motif of ZNF212 in the PLD3 gene promoters. Introducing human ZNF212 into the cerebellum of 3-week-old Zfp212-KO mice prevented Purkinje cell death and motor behavioral deficits. Also, Zfp212 and Pld3 were reduced in the cerebellum of an alcohol-induced cerebellar degeneration mouse model [1]. Additionally, ZNF212 interacts directly with TRAIP. Depletion of ZNF212 causes defects in the DNA damage response (DDR) and homologous recombination (HR)-mediated repair, acting upstream of the Neil3 and Fanconi anemia (FA) pathways of DNA interstrand cross-link (ICL) repair. ZNF212 also promotes the recruitment of NEIL3 to ICL lesions [2].

In conclusion, Zfp212 plays crucial roles in maintaining Purkinje cell survival and normal locomotion, likely through regulating Pld3 expression. In the context of DNA repair, Zfp212 (or its human homolog ZNF212) is involved in DDR, HR-mediated repair, and ICL repair by interacting with TRAIP. The study of Zfp212 KO mouse models has provided valuable insights into its functions in cerebellar-related diseases and DNA repair-associated conditions [1,2].

References:

1. Khang, Rin, Jo, Areum, Kang, Hojin, Lee, Yun-Song, Shin, Joo-Ho. 2021. Loss of zinc-finger protein 212 leads to Purkinje cell death and locomotive abnormalities with phospholipase D3 downregulation. In Scientific reports, 11, 22745. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-02218-x. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34815492/

2. Chung, Hee Jin, Lee, Joo Rak, Kim, Tae Moon, Myung, Kyungjae, Kim, Hongtae. . ZNF212 promotes genomic integrity through direct interaction with TRAIP. In Nucleic acids research, 51, 631-649. doi:10.1093/nar/gkac1226. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36594163/