title: ZFAT is an antiapoptotic molecule and critical for cell survival in MOLT-4 cells.
abstract: ZFAT (also known as ZNF406), originally identified as a candidate gene for autoimmune thyroid disease, encodes a zinc-finger protein, however, its function has not been elucidated. Here, we report that human ZFAT protein is expressed in peripheral B and T lymphocytes and a human acute T lymphoblastic leukaemia cell line, MOLT-4 cells. Intriguing is that mouse ZFAT expression in CD4(+) lymphocytes is increased during blast formation. Furthermore, ZFAT-knockdown in MOLT-4 induces apoptosis via activation of caspases. These results suggested that ZFAT protein is a critical regulator involved in apoptosis and cell survival for immune-related cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fujimoto
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Doi
authors.forename: Midori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koyanagi
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsunoda
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takashima
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Takehiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sasazuki
authors.forename: Senji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shirasawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D014157:Transcription Factors; C529572:ZFAT protein, human; D020169:Caspases