Current insights into PHF14: molecular features and functional roles

Abstract

Plant Homeodomain Finger Protein 14 (PHF14) is a known epigenetic regulator involved in chromatin-mediated gene regulation. PHF14 belongs to the plant homeodomain (PHD) family, and possesses four PHD zinc-finger domains. The N-terminal PHD1 and PHD2 domain of PHF14 mediate histone recognition through specific PHD1–ZnK–PHD2 (PZP) cassettes and thereby contribute to the regulation of transcriptional activation and gene silencing. PHF14 plays a role in regulating essential cellular processes such as the cell cycle, mesenchymal proliferation, DNA damage response, and B-cell proliferation. Genetic variants of PHF14 have been identified across multiple clinical conditions, underscoring its physiological and pathologic relevance. Over the past 5 years, PHF14 has garnered substantial attention for its dysregulation or sequence variation associated with various cancers. PHF14-mediated interactions are implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders and also contribute to lung and renal fibrosis, as well as Dandy–Walker syndrome, underscoring its role in diverse pathological conditions. This review summarizes current knowledge on PHF14 structure, interaction partners, molecular functions, associated signaling pathways, and roles in diseases.