Zinc Finger Homeobox Protein 2 (ZFHX2)

ZFHX genes encode zinc-finger homeobox containing proteins previously described as two separate families (ZFH3 and ZFH4) in bilaterians. In vertebrates this gene appears to have undergone duplications generating 2 or more additional homologs. In humans, there are 3 homologs (ZFHX2, ZFHX3 and ZFHX4). Family members usually contain 8 or more C2H2 zinc fingers distributed throughout the gene. The Daphnia homolog has 11 C2H2 type zinc fingers. ZFHX genes are thought to be important regulators of neuronal differentiation. Like most homeotic genes, these genes are also involved in embryonic morphogenesis. It has been shown that it is potential tumor suppressor genes that repress alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) whose altered expression may lead to development of carcinoma in various tissues.