GDNF Inducible Zinc Finger Protein 1 (GZF1)

GZF1 is induced during GDNF/RET signaling and may play a role in renal branching morphogenesis. The up-regulation of the GZF1 gene showed two peaks at 1 h and 24-48 h after GDNF stimulation. As observed for other proteins with the BTB/POZ domain, the GZF1 protein had strong transcriptional repressive activity. Intriguingly, its expression was detected at high levels in branching ureteric buds and collecting ducts of mouse metanephric kidney in which RET was also expressed. Antisense phosphorothioated oligodeoxynucleotides of the GZF1 gene markedly impaired the ureteric bud branching in the metanephric organ culture, suggesting that the induction of GZF1 expression via the GDNF/RET signaling system is required for renal branching morphogenesis.