CXXC1
CXXC1 (CXXC finger protein 1, also known as CFP1, CGBP, PCCX1 and PHF18) is a nuclear transcriptional activator that binds DNA at non-methylated CpG motifs. It is a component of the SETD1 complex and is essential for vertebrate development. Browse Assay Genie's current range of CXXC1 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
CXXC1 is a transcriptional activator with an unusual DNA binding specificity. Through its CXXC domain it binds specifically to non-methylated CpG motifs, with a preference for the sequence CpGG. Because it reads the methylation state of CpG dinucleotides, it links DNA sequence and epigenetic status to the control of gene expression. The CXXC1 protein is also a component of the SETD1 complex, and it regulates gene expression as part of this assembly.
The CXXC1 gene is located on chromosome 18 and encodes a protein that localises to the nucleus, including nuclear speckles. HGNC places it in two gene groups: the PHD finger proteins and the CXXC-type zinc fingers. This reflects the zinc-binding domains that define its architecture. No enzymatic activity is assigned to it, so its role is best understood as a DNA-binding and complex-organising factor rather than a catalyst.
The name has changed over time. The previous HGNC name was CXXC finger 1 (PHD domain), and the literature uses several aliases, including CFP1, CGBP, hCGBP, PCCX1, PHF18, SPP1 and ZCGPC1. NCBI Gene describes the protein as essential for vertebrate development, which makes CXXC1 a frequent subject in studies of CpG-island recognition, chromatin regulation and developmental gene control. The mouse ortholog is Cxxc1, which allows these questions to be studied in model systems. Its relationship to other CXXC-domain proteins, such as CXXC5, is also of interest for comparative work.
CXXC1 binds non-methylated CpG motifs, making it a useful focus for work on how DNA methylation state shapes transcription.
As a component of the SETD1 complex, CXXC1 is studied to understand how this complex is organised and how it regulates gene expression.
CXXC1 is essential for vertebrate development, so it is investigated in studies of developmental gene control.
The CXXC domain shows a preference for CpGG motifs, supporting research into sequence recognition by zinc finger DNA-binding domains.
CXXC1 is a transcriptional activator. Its CXXC domain binds specifically to non-methylated CpG motifs, with a preference for CpGG. It is also a component of the SETD1 complex, regulates gene expression and is essential for vertebrate development.
CXXC1 is also known as CFP1, CGBP, hCGBP, PCCX1, PHF18, SPP1, ZCGPC1 and HsT2645. Its previous HGNC name was CXXC finger 1 (PHD domain). UniProt lists the protein as CXXC-type zinc finger protein 1.
A mouse ortholog, Cxxc1, is recognised, and NCBI Gene describes the protein as essential for vertebrate development. For any product, check the datasheet for its validated reactivity before choosing a model system.
Other CXXC-type zinc finger proteins and related chromatin regulators with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q9P0U4; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.