Background information
Zinc-finger proteins contain DNA-binding domains and have a wide variety of functions, most of which encompass some form of transcriptional activation or repression. Sp6, also known as EPFN, EPIPROFIN or KLF14, is a 376 amino acid protein that localizes to the nucleus and contains three C2H2-type zinc fingers. Expressed ubiquitously with higher expression in developing teeth, hair follicles and limb buds, Sp6 functions to bind GC-rich sequences and related GT and CACCC boxes, thereby promoting cellular proliferation. Human Sp6 shares 96% sequence homology with its mouse counterpart, suggesting a conserved role between species. The gene encoding Sp6 maps to human chromosome 17, which comprises over 2.5% of the human genome and encodes over 1,200 genes.
