Zinc Finger CCCH-Type Containing Protein 12B (ZC3H12B)

Activated macrophages play an important role in many inflammatory diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling macrophage activation are not completely understood. MCPIP1, 2, 3, and 4, encoded by four genes, Zc3h12a, Zc3h12b, Zc3h12c, and Zc3h12d, respectively, regulates macrophage activation. Northern blot analysis revealed that the expression of MCPIP1 and MCPIP3 was highly induced in macrophages in response to treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). ZC3H12B belongs to a family of CCCH-type zinc finger proteins that are involved in the proinflammatory activation of macrophages. The exact function of this family member is unknown, but it is thought to function as a ribonuclease.