The Drosophila embryonic protein snail is a zinc finger transcriptional repressor which downregulates the expression of ectodermal genes within the mesoderm. The nuclear protein encoded by this gene is structurally similar to the Drosophila snail protein, and is also thought to be critical for mesoderm formation in the developing embryo. At least two variants of a similar processed pseudogene have been found on chromosome 2. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]
Function: Involved in the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and formation and maintenance of embryonic mesoderm. Binds to 3 E-boxes of the E-cadherin gene promoter and represses its transcription.
Subunit: Interacts with FBXL14 and GSK3B. Interacts with BTRC; interaction occurs when it is phosphorylated on the destruction motif. Interacts (via SNAG domain) with WTIP (via LIM domains). Interacts (via SNAG domain) with LIMD1 (via LIM domains), and AJUBA (via LIM domains). Interacts with LOXL2 and LOXL3.
Subcellular Location: Nucleus. Cytoplasm. Note=Once phosphorylated (probably on Ser-107, Ser-111, Ser-115 and Ser-119) it is exported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm where subsequent phosphorylation of the destruction motif and ubiquitination involving BTRC occurs.
Tissue Specificity: Expressed in a variety of tissues with the highest expression in kidney. Expressed in mesenchymal and epithelial cell lines.
Post-translational modifications: Phosphorylated by GSK3B. Once phosphorylated, it becomes a target for BTRC ubiquitination. Ubiquitinated on Lys-98, Lys-137 and Lys-146 by FBXL14 and BTRC leading to degradation. BTRC-triggered ubiquitination requires previous GSK3B-mediated SNAI1 phosphorylation. O-GlcNAcylation at Ser-112 is enhanced in hyperglycaemic conditions, it opposes phosphorylation by GSK3B, and stabilizes the protein.
Similarity: Belongs to the snail C2H2-type zinc-finger protein family. Contains 4 C2H2-type zinc fingers.