Human IKAROS family zinc finger 1 (Ikaros) (IKZF1) gene encodes a transcription factor that belongs to the family of zinc-finger DNA binding proteins associated with chromatin remodeling. The expression of this protein is restricted to the fetal and adult hemo-lymphopoietic system, and it functions as a regulator of lymphocyte differentiation. Several alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been described for this gene. All isoforms share a common C-terminal domain, which contains two zinc finger motifs that are required for hetero- or homodimerization, and for interactions with other proteins. The isoforms, however, differ in the number of N-terminal zinc finger motifs that bind DNA and contain the nuclear localization signal, resulting in members with and without DNA-binding properties. Only few isoforms contain the requisite three or more N-terminal zinc motifs that confer high affinity binding to a specific core DNA sequence element in the promoters of target genes. The non-DNA-binding isoforms are largely found in the cytoplasm, and thought to function as dominant negative factors. Overexpression of some dominant-negative isoforms have been associated with B-cell malignancies, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Full-length human IKAROS cDNA (519aa, Isoform_1) was constructed with codon optimization with a small T7-His-TEV cleavage site Tag (29aa) fusion at its N-terminal. This protein was expressed in E. coli as inclusion bodies, refolded using our unique “temperature shift inclusion body refolding” technology and chromatographically purified.

1. May be used for in vitro human lymphoid cell differentiation regulations study with this protein mediated intracellular delivery.

2. May be used as specific substrate protein for kinase and ubiquitin related enzyme functional screening assays.

3. Potential biomarker protein for leukemia diagnostic developments.

4. May be used as antigen for specific antibody production.