Zfp352, also related to the Klf family, is a gene with significant functions in early embryonic development. It encodes a zinc-finger transcription factor and is involved in regulating the dissolution of the totipotency network as well as the transient expression of 2-cell specific genes in mouse embryonic stem cells [1,2]. It may have evolved through retrotransposition events along with its homolog Zfp353, and has different modes of transcription in preimplantation embryos and somatic cells [3,4].

In mouse embryos, depleting Zfp352 delays the 2-cell to morula transition process, highlighting its role in the timely dissolution of the totipotency network. This is achieved through its selective binding to different retrotransposon sub-families. It coordinates with DUX to bind the 2C specific MT2_Mm sub-family, and without DUX, it switches affinity to bind extensively onto SINE_B1/Alu sub-family, leading to the activation of later developmental programs like ubiquitination pathways [1]. In mouse embryonic stem cells, Zfp352 has dual roles in regulating the transient activation of 2-cell-specific genes. Dux transiently activates Zfp352, and Zfp352 can both repress the transcriptional activation of Zscan4c by Dux in reporter assays and is required for the expression of a subset of 2-cell-specific genes [2].

In conclusion, Zfp352 is crucial for early embryonic development, especially in regulating the transition of cell fates and the transient expression of 2-cell specific genes. Gene-knockout mouse models have been instrumental in revealing these functions, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying early embryogenesis.

References:

1. Li, Zhengyi, Xu, Haiyan, Li, Jiaqun, Shen, Yang, Liang, Hongqing. 2023. Selective binding of retrotransposons by ZFP352 facilitates the timely dissolution of totipotency network. In Nature communications, 14, 3646. doi:10.1038/s41467-023-39344-1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37339952/

2. Mwalilino, Lusubilo, Yamane, Mariko, Ishiguro, Kei-Ichiro, Endoh, Mitsuhiro, Niwa, Hitoshi. 2023. The role of Zfp352 in the regulation of transient expression of 2-cell specific genes in mouse embryonic stem cells. In Genes to cells : devoted to molecular & cellular mechanisms, 28, 831-844. doi:10.1111/gtc.13070. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37778747/

3. Chen, Huang-Hui, Liu, Tiffany Yi-Chen, Huang, Chiu-Jung, Choo, Kong-Bung. . Generation of two homologous and intronless zinc-finger protein genes, zfp352 and zfp353, with different expression patterns by retrotransposition. In Genomics, 79, 18-23. doi:. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11827453/

4. Liu, Tiffany Yi-Chen, Chen, Huang-Hui, Lee, Kun-Hsiung, Choo, Kong-Bung. . Display of different modes of transcription by the promoters of an early embryonic gene, Zfp352, in preimplantation embryos and in somatic cells. In Molecular reproduction and development, 64, 52-60. doi:. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12420299/