ZFP36L1
ZFP36L1 (ZFP36 like 1 zinc finger CCCH-type; also TIS11B, BRF1, ERF1, cMG1, Berg36) is a zinc-finger RNA-binding protein that destabilises AU-rich element-containing mRNAs. By promoting their deadenylation and decay, it attenuates protein synthesis. Browse Assay Genie's current range of ZFP36L1 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
ZFP36L1 acts as a 3'-untranslated region AU-rich element (ARE) mRNA-binding adapter that links signalling events to the mRNA decay machinery. It recruits the CCR4-NOT deadenylase complex and cytoplasmic RNA decay components to bound transcripts, promoting poly(A) tail removal and decay. It can also drive degradation of ARE-containing mRNAs that lack a poly(A) tail. It delivers target mRNAs to processing bodies and is involved in the formation and fusion of stress granules and P-bodies. In the nucleus, it regulates mRNA 3'-end processing, modulating maturation of DLL4 mRNA in endothelial cells.
Reported targets span many cell types. ZFP36L1 promotes decay of immediate early gene mRNAs during early adipogenesis and of NR3C2 mRNA in response to hypertonic stress. It restrains erythroid differentiation through STAT5B mRNA decay and supports monocyte/macrophage differentiation through CDK6 mRNA decay. In embryonic stem cells, an FGF-induced, MAPK-dependent pathway directs it to pluripotency-associated mRNAs such as NANOG, which attenuates self-renewal and favours mesendoderm differentiation. It may mediate pro-apoptotic effects in malignant B-cells through BCL2 mRNA decay. With ZFP36L2, it maintains quiescence in developing B lymphocytes, supporting accurate VDJ recombination, and limits T-ALL transformation by promoting NOTCH1 mRNA decay during thymocyte development. It also contributes to vasculogenesis, endocardial development, keratinocyte behaviour and myoblast differentiation.
The ZFP36L1 gene belongs to the TIS11 family of early response genes, induced by agonists such as TPA and EGF, and is well conserved across species. The protein carries a repeating cys-his zinc finger motif, and alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been described. Previous names include ZFP36 ring finger protein like 1 and zinc finger protein 36, C3H type-like 1. Mouse and rat orthologs are both named Zfp36l1.
ZFP36L1 recruits the CCR4-NOT deadenylase complex to AU-rich element mRNAs, making it a model adapter for studying how signalling reaches the decay machinery.
It degrades pluripotency mRNAs such as NANOG downstream of FGF and MAPK signalling, influencing self-renewal and mesendoderm differentiation.
With ZFP36L2, it maintains B-cell quiescence and supports thymocyte development, including suppression of NOTCH1-driven T-ALL transformation.
ZFP36L1 helps deliver target mRNAs to processing bodies and regulates stress granule and P-body formation and fusion.
ZFP36L1 binds AU-rich elements in the 3'-UTR of mRNAs and recruits the CCR4-NOT deadenylase complex, promoting deadenylation and decay. This attenuates protein synthesis from its targets, which include STAT5B, CDK6, NANOG, BCL2 and NOTCH1 transcripts in different cellular contexts.
Aliases include Berg36, ERF1, TIS11B, cMG1 and BRF1. Earlier names were ZFP36 ring finger protein like 1 and zinc finger protein, C3H type, 36-like 1. UniProt lists it as mRNA decay activator protein ZFP36L1. Alternative splicing gives different isoforms.
NCBI describes the gene as well conserved across species. Mouse and rat both have an ortholog named Zfp36l1. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other CCCH-type zinc finger proteins and TIS11 family members involved in mRNA decay.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q07352; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.