Scratch Homolog 1, Zinc Finger Protein (SCRT1)

Human SCRT shares 81% and 69% identity to Drosophila Scrt and Caenorhabditis elegans neuronal antiapoptotic protein, CES-1, respectively, across the 5-zinc finger domain, and 92% overall amino acid identity with mouse Scrt. Northern blot analysis detected SCRT expression in adult brain, but not in other tissues. In situ hybridization of mouse tissues demonstrated expression of Scrt predominantly confined to the brain and spinal cord, appearing in newly differentiating, postmitotic neurons and persisting into postnatal life. Additional expression was seen in the retina and, significantly, in neuroendocrine cells of the lung. SCRT shares the capacity of other Snail family members to bind to E-box enhancer motifs, which are targets of basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors.