The zinc finger protein 85 (ZNF85) belongs to the Krüppel-associated box (KRAB) domain-containing zinc finger protein family, a large group of transcription factors involved in gene regulation, chromatin remodeling, and epigenetic silencing. ZNF85 is characterized by multiple Cys2His2 (C2H2) zinc finger motifs, which mediate sequence-specific DNA binding, and a KRAB domain at its N-terminus that recruits corepressor complexes to suppress transcription. While its exact biological roles remain under investigation, ZNF85 is thought to participate in developmental processes, cell differentiation, and tumorigenesis due to its structural homology with other KRAB-ZNF proteins implicated in these functions.
Antibodies targeting ZNF85 are primarily used in research to study its expression patterns, subcellular localization, and interactions. They enable detection via techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF). Such tools have helped identify ZNF85's preferential expression in tissues like the brain, testis, and immune cells, suggesting tissue-specific regulatory roles. Additionally, studies link dysregulated ZNF85 expression to diseases, including certain cancers and neurodevelopmental disorders, though mechanistic insights are still emerging. Validation of ZNF85 antibodies typically includes knockout controls and specificity assays to ensure reliability in experimental models. These reagents remain critical for unraveling ZNF85's contributions to normal physiology and pathology.