CTCF Protein

CTCF Protein

Introduction

Ctcf Protein is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.

<div class="infobox infobox-protein"> [@phillipscremins2013]
<table> [@kharchenko2011]
<tr><th colspan="2" style="background:#f0f0f0;">Protein Overview</th></tr> [@hsiao2019]
<tr><td><strong>Protein Name</strong></td><td>CCCTC-Binding Factor</td></tr> [@tuna2013]
<tr><td><strong>Gene</strong></td><td>CTCF</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>UniProt ID</strong></td><td>P49711</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>PDB Structure</strong></td><td>5T0E, 5T1C, 5IGK</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Molecular Weight</strong></td><td>~83 kDa</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Subcellular Localization</strong></td><td>Nucleus (chromatin-bound)</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Protein Family</strong></td><td>Zinc finger C2H2-type</td></tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Associated Diseases</td>
<td><a href="/wiki/aging" style="color:#ef9a9a">Aging</a>, <a href="/wiki/als" style="color:#ef9a9a">Als</a>, <a href="/wiki/anxiety" style="color:#ef9a9a">Anxiety</a>, <a href="/wiki/cancer" style="color:#ef9a9a">Cancer</a>, <a href="/wiki/carcinoma" style="color:#ef9a9a">Carcinoma</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">KG Connections</td>
<td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">62 edges</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>

Overview

CTCF Protein

Introduction

Ctcf Protein is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.

<div class="infobox infobox-protein"> [@phillipscremins2013]
<table> [@kharchenko2011]
<tr><th colspan="2" style="background:#f0f0f0;">Protein Overview</th></tr> [@hsiao2019]
<tr><td><strong>Protein Name</strong></td><td>CCCTC-Binding Factor</td></tr> [@tuna2013]
<tr><td><strong>Gene</strong></td><td>CTCF</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>UniProt ID</strong></td><td>P49711</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>PDB Structure</strong></td><td>5T0E, 5T1C, 5IGK</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Molecular Weight</strong></td><td>~83 kDa</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Subcellular Localization</strong></td><td>Nucleus (chromatin-bound)</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Protein Family</strong></td><td>Zinc finger C2H2-type</td></tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Associated Diseases</td>
<td><a href="/wiki/aging" style="color:#ef9a9a">Aging</a>, <a href="/wiki/als" style="color:#ef9a9a">Als</a>, <a href="/wiki/anxiety" style="color:#ef9a9a">Anxiety</a>, <a href="/wiki/cancer" style="color:#ef9a9a">Cancer</a>, <a href="/wiki/carcinoma" style="color:#ef9a9a">Carcinoma</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">KG Connections</td>
<td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">62 edges</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>

Overview

The CTCF protein (CCCTC-Binding Factor) is a zinc finger transcription factor that plays critical roles in chromatin organization and gene regulation. In the nervous system, CTCF is essential for neuronal development, synaptic plasticity, and cognitive function. Dysregulation of CTCF has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.

Structure

CTCF protein is a highly conserved zinc finger transcription factor containing:

• 11 zinc finger domains (ZF1-ZF11) at the C-terminus that mediate DNA binding
• N-terminal domain: Contains activation and repression domains
• C-terminal zinc finger array: Recognizes specific DNA sequences through different finger combinations
• Central region: Mediates protein-protein interactions with cohesin complex

Normal Function

CTCF is a master regulator of genome architecture with multiple functions:

In the brain, CTCF is crucial for:

• Neuronal development and differentiation
• Synapse formation and plasticity
• Cognitive function
• Response to neuronal activity

Role in Disease

Alzheimer's Disease

• Altered CTCF binding at AD-risk gene loci
• Dysregulation of amyloid processing genes ([APP](/entities/app-protein), BACE1)
• Effects on [tau](/proteins/tau) pathology genes
• Contribution to epigenetic changes in AD

Parkinson's Disease

• Disrupted chromatin organization in dopaminergic [neurons](/entities/neurons)
• Effects on mitochondrial function genes
• Potential role in LRRK2 pathogenesis

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

• CTCF binding alterations in ALS models
• Effects on RNA metabolism genes
• Potential therapeutic target

Huntington's Disease

• Mutant [huntingtin](/proteins/huntingtin-protein) interferes with CTCF function
• Transcriptional dysregulation
• Chromatin organization defects

Therapeutic Targeting

| Approach | Status | Notes |
|----------|--------|-------|
| Epigenetic modulators | Research | [HDAC](/entities/hdac-enzymes) inhibitors affecting CTCF |
| BET inhibitors | Research | Bromodomain inhibitors |
| Gene therapy | Preclinical | CTCF expression modulation |

Expression Pattern

Disease Associations

Therapeutic Implications

Animal Models

Background

The study of Ctcf Protein has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.

Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.

See Also

• [CTCF Gene](/genes/ctcf)
• [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
• [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
• [Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis](/diseases/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis)
• [Epigenetic Mechanisms](/content/mechanisms)

External Links

• [UniProt: P49711](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P49711)
• [PDB: 5T0E](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/5T0E)
• [NCBI Protein: NP_006565](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/protein/NP_006565)

References