SEPHS1

Core component of the zincore complex, a heterotetramer that acts as a molecular 'grip' to stabilize transcription factors at DNA-binding sites across the genome, thereby controlling gene expression. The zincore complex binds specifically to zinc finger transcription factors, such as ZFP91, ZNF652, ZNF526 and PRDM15, and stabilizes them onto their cognate DNA motif. Within the complex, SEPHS1, recognizes and binds the backbone of zinc fingers of transcription factors in a sequence-independent manner via its arginine clamp, enhancing their DNA-binding stability. Plays an essential role in redox homeostasis. May also be involved in selenocysteine biosynthesis by catalyzing formation of selenophosphate from selenide and ATP. Its role in selenocysteine biosynthesis is however unclear and several studies suggest that it does not act as a selenophosphate synthase in vivo or plays an non-essential role. Required for cardiac differentiation (By similarity)..

Function from UniProtKB (P49903), read 2026-09-23. CC BY 4.0.