KLF12 Gene: Function, Expression, and Disease Associations

KLF12 (Kruppel like factor 12) is a member of the Kruppel-like family of transcription factors, characterized by three C2H2-type zinc fingers. It functions primarily as a transcriptional repressor by binding to GC-rich promoter regions and interacting with co-repressor complexes. KLF12 plays roles in embryonic development, cell differentiation, and is implicated in various cancers, where it can act as either a tumor suppressor or oncogene depending on context.

Tissue Expression

Cell Line Expression

Hotspot Mutations

Mutation functional classification

• KEGG hsa05200: Pathways in cancer

• Reactome R-HSA-212436: Generic Transcription Pathway

• Reactome R-HSA-6807070: PTEN Regulation

KLF12 is a 402-amino acid protein containing an N-terminal repression domain and three C-terminal C2H2 zinc fingers that mediate sequence-specific DNA binding to GC-rich elements. It represses transcription by recruiting co-repressors such as CtBP and HDACs. KLF12 is expressed in multiple tissues, with highest levels in testis. It regulates genes involved in cell cycle, apoptosis, and differentiation. Dysregulation of KLF12 is associated with several cancers, where it can function as a tumor suppressor or oncogene depending on cellular context.