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POGZ gene
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/pogz/

POGZ gene

pogo transposable element derived with ZNF domain

Normal Function

The POGZ gene provides instructions for making a protein that is found in the cell nucleus. The POGZ protein is part of a group known as zinc finger proteins, which contain one or more short regions called zinc finger domains. These regions include a specific pattern of protein building blocks (amino acids) and one or more charged atoms of zinc (zinc ions). The folded configuration of the zinc finger domain stabilizes the protein and allows it to attach (bind) to other molecules.

In the cell nucleus, the POGZ protein attaches (binds) to chromatin, which is the network of DNA and proteins that packages DNA into chromosomes. Binding of the POGZ protein is part of the process that changes the structure of chromatin (chromatin remodeling) to alter how tightly regions of DNA are packaged. Chromatin remodeling is one way gene activity (expression) is regulated; when DNA is tightly packed gene expression is lower than when DNA is loosely packed. Regulation of gene expression by the POGZ protein is thought to be important to brain development, but the specific function of POGZ in the brain is not well understood.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

White-Sutton syndrome

At least 17 POGZ gene mutations have been found to cause White-Sutton syndrome. This disorder is characterized by intellectual disability, specific facial features, and other signs and symptoms affecting various parts of the body, particularly vision problems and gastrointestinal problems. Most affected individuals have features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a varied condition characterized by impaired social skills, communication problems, and repetitive behaviors. POGZ gene mutations are thought to impair the ability of the POGZ protein to bind to chromatin, leading to abnormal gene expression that affects development of the brain and other body systems. However, little is known about the specific changes in gene expression and how they lead to the development of intellectual disability and other signs and symptoms of White-Sutton syndrome.

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Autism spectrum disorder

POGZ gene mutations have also been identified in people with ASD without other typical features of White-Sutton syndrome (described above). While the exact disease mechanism is unknown, studies suggest that the POGZ gene mutations associated with ASD result in a POGZ protein with impaired ability to bind to chromatin. Lack of chromatin binding likely results in abnormal chromatin remodeling, altering the normal expression of genes involved in brain development and leading to ASD. It is unclear why POGZ gene mutations lead to White-Sutton syndrome in some individuals and ASD without additional signs and symptoms in others.

More About This Health Condition

Other Names for This Gene

  • KIAA0461
  • MRD37
  • putative protein product of Nbla00003
  • WHSUS
  • zinc finger protein 280E
  • zinc finger protein 635
  • ZNF280E
  • ZNF635
  • ZNF635m

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Dentici ML, Niceta M, Pantaleoni F, Barresi S, Bencivenga P, Dallapiccola B, Digilio MC, Tartaglia M. Expanding the phenotypic spectrum of truncating POGZ mutations: Association with CNS malformations, skeletal abnormalities, and distinctive facial dysmorphism. Am J Med Genet A. 2017 Jul;173(7):1965-1969. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.38255. Epub 2017 May 7. Citation on PubMed
  • Fukai R, Hiraki Y, Yofune H, Tsurusaki Y, Nakashima M, Saitsu H, Tanaka F, Miyake N, Matsumoto N. A case of autism spectrum disorder arising from a de novo missense mutation in POGZ. J Hum Genet. 2015 May;60(5):277-9. doi: 10.1038/jhg.2015.13. Epub 2015 Feb 19. Citation on PubMed
  • Matsumura K, Nakazawa T, Nagayasu K, Gotoda-Nishimura N, Kasai A, Hayata-Takano A, Shintani N, Yamamori H, Yasuda Y, Hashimoto R, Hashimoto H. De novo POGZ mutations in sporadic autism disrupt the DNA-binding activity of POGZ. J Mol Psychiatry. 2016 Apr 21;4:1. doi: 10.1186/s40303-016-0016-x. eCollection 2016. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Stessman HAF, Willemsen MH, Fenckova M, Penn O, Hoischen A, Xiong B, Wang T, Hoekzema K, Vives L, Vogel I, Brunner HG, van der Burgt I, Ockeloen CW, Schuurs-Hoeijmakers JH, Klein Wassink-Ruiter JS, Stumpel C, Stevens SJC, Vles HS, Marcelis CM, van Bokhoven H, Cantagrel V, Colleaux L, Nicouleau M, Lyonnet S, Bernier RA, Gerdts J, Coe BP, Romano C, Alberti A, Grillo L, Scuderi C, Nordenskjold M, Kvarnung M, Guo H, Xia K, Piton A, Gerard B, Genevieve D, Delobel B, Lehalle D, Perrin L, Prieur F, Thevenon J, Gecz J, Shaw M, Pfundt R, Keren B, Jacquette A, Schenck A, Eichler EE, Kleefstra T. Disruption of POGZ Is Associated with Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Am J Hum Genet. 2016 Mar 3;98(3):541-552. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2016.02.004. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Tan B, Zou Y, Zhang Y, Zhang R, Ou J, Shen Y, Zhao J, Luo X, Guo J, Zeng L, Hu Y, Zheng Y, Pan Q, Liang D, Wu L. A novel de novo POGZ mutation in a patient with intellectual disability. J Hum Genet. 2016 Apr;61(4):357-9. doi: 10.1038/jhg.2015.156. Epub 2016 Jan 14. Citation on PubMed
  • Wang T, Guo H, Xiong B, Stessman HA, Wu H, Coe BP, Turner TN, Liu Y, Zhao W, Hoekzema K, Vives L, Xia L, Tang M, Ou J, Chen B, Shen Y, Xun G, Long M, Lin J, Kronenberg ZN, Peng Y, Bai T, Li H, Ke X, Hu Z, Zhao J, Zou X, Xia K, Eichler EE. De novo genic mutations among a Chinese autism spectrum disorder cohort. Nat Commun. 2016 Nov 8;7:13316. doi: 10.1038/ncomms13316. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • White J, Beck CR, Harel T, Posey JE, Jhangiani SN, Tang S, Farwell KD, Powis Z, Mendelsohn NJ, Baker JA, Pollack L, Mason KJ, Wierenga KJ, Arrington DK, Hall M, Psychogios A, Fairbrother L, Walkiewicz M, Person RE, Niu Z, Zhang J, Rosenfeld JA, Muzny DM, Eng C, Beaudet AL, Lupski JR, Boerwinkle E, Gibbs RA, Yang Y, Xia F, Sutton VR. POGZ truncating alleles cause syndromic intellectual disability. Genome Med. 2016 Jan 6;8(1):3. doi: 10.1186/s13073-015-0253-0. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Ye Y, Cho MT, Retterer K, Alexander N, Ben-Omran T, Al-Mureikhi M, Cristian I, Wheeler PG, Crain C, Zand D, Weinstein V, Vernon HJ, McClellan R, Krishnamurthy V, Vitazka P, Millan F, Chung WK. De novo POGZ mutations are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and microcephaly. Cold Spring Harb Mol Case Stud. 2015 Oct;1(1):a000455. doi: 10.1101/mcs.a000455. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central

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