Chromosomal mapping and genomic organization of an evolutionarily conserved zinc finger gene ZNF277

A novel C2H2 zinc finger gene, ZNF277, has been localized to human chromoso me 7q31.1. The gene is encoded by 12 exons in a genomic fragment of > 100 k b between the microsatellite markers D7S523 and D7S471, deleted in a number of malignancies. The predicted open reading frame (ORF) of 438 amino acids shows an overall homology of 50% to the putative ORF F46B6.7 of Caenorhabd itis elegans. The presence of a 30-amino-acid coiled-coil domain in both th e C. elegans ORF F46B6.7 and ZNF277 is suggestive of functional similaritie s. ESTs for the murine orthologue ZFP277 are found in early embryonic stem cells, 16-cell stage embryo, and blastocysts. The evolutionary conservation and the expression profile suggest ZNF277 to be a critical regulator of de velopment and differentiation. (C) 2000 Academic Press.