Zinc Finger And BTB Domain Containing Protein 7A (ZBTB7A)

LRF interacted with BCL6 but not with PLZF. The interaction required both the BTB/POZ and zinc finger domains of the 2 proteins. Confocal microscopy demonstrated colocalization of LRF and BCL6 in the nucleus.BTB/POZ domains can form homomeric or heterodimeric complexes and are found in some viral and cellular proteins that may not be associated with transcription. The mouse and human LRF proteins share 88% amino acid identity. Northern blot analysis revealed wide expression of 3 transcripts in various cell lines as well as in skin, lung, and liver, but not in spleen or thymus. Whole mount in situ hybridization analysis showed expression of Lrf in the first 2 pharyngeal arches, limb buds, tail buds, and the neural tube of mouse embryos, suggesting a role in stimulating cell proliferation.