ZNF143 is a transcriptional regulator of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes that acts independently of looping and CTCF

Gene expression is orchestrated by transcription factors, which function within the context of a three-dimensional genome. Zinc finger protein 143 (ZNF143/ZFP143) is a transcription factor that has been implicated in both gene activation and chromatin looping. To study the direct consequences of ZNF143/ZFP143 loss, we generated a ZNF143/ZFP143 degron line. Our results show that ZNF143/ZFP143 depletion has no effect on chromatin looping. Systematic analysis of ZNF143/ZFP143 occupancy data revealed that a commonly used antibody cross-reacts with CTCF, leading to its incorrect association with chromatin loops. Nevertheless, ZNF143/ZFP143 specifically activates nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes and its loss leads to severe mitochondrial dysfunction. Using an in vitro embryo model, we find that ZNF143/ZFP143 is an essential regulator of organismal development. Our results establish ZNF143/ZFP143 as a conserved transcriptional regulator of cell proliferation and differentiation by safeguarding mitochondrial activity. HighlightsO_LIAcute degradation of ZFP143 leads to rapid and specific loss of gene transcription. C_LIO_LIMolecular consequences of ZFP143 loss are inconsistent with a role in chromatin looping. C_LIO_LIZFP143 is a conserved transcriptional regulator of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins. C_LIO_LIZFP143 regulation of mitochondrial homeostasis is critical for multicellular organismal development. C_LI Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=200 SRC="FIGDIR/small/583864v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (59K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1033b53org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@12bd81aorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@178a813org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@62b7bf_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG