The ZBTB family in cardiac development and diseases.

ZBTB (zinc finger and BTB domain) proteins are a class of evolutionarily conserved transcriptional factors (TFs) with zinc finger (ZF) and BTB (Broad-complex, Tram-track, and Bric-à-brac) domains. The ZBTB protein family has a wide range of functions in numerous biological processes, including cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, organ development, and haematopoietic stem cell fate determination. The ZBTB proteins regulate gene expression through interactions with transcriptional regulators, influencing processes such as myocardial contractility, inflammation, fibrosis, and cellular metabolism. Given the critical role of the ZBTB family in cardiac biology, the present review endeavours to comprehensively summarize the regulatory roles of seven ZBTB family members (HIC2, BCL6, PLZF, ZBTB17, ZBTB20, ZBTB7a, and ZBTB11) in cardiac development and diseases, along with their potential molecular mechanisms. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of ZBTB proteins opens avenues for developing targeted therapies for cardiovascular diseases, including hypertrophy, fibrosis, and inflammation. This review provides a comprehensive summary of recent research on the role of ZBTB proteins in regulating cardiac transcription. Particular emphasis is placed on elucidating their functions in both cardiac development and the pathogenesis of cardiac diseases.