PR domain zinc finger protein 1 also known as BLIMP-1 is a protein

Protein

Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...

 that in humans is encoded by the PRDM1 gene

Gene

A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...

. BLIMP-1 acts as a repressor

Repressor

In molecular genetics, a repressor is a DNA-binding protein that regulates the expression of one or more genes by binding to the operator and blocking the attachment of RNA polymerase to the promoter, thus preventing transcription of the genes. This blocking of expression is called...

 of beta-interferon

Interferon type I

Human type I interferons comprise a vast and growing group of IFN proteins.All type I IFNs bind to a specific cell surface receptor complex known as the IFN-α receptor that consists of IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 chains....

 (β-IFN) gene expression. The protein binds specifically to the PRDI (positive regulatory domain I element) of the β-IFN gene promoter. Transcription of this gene increases upon virus induction.

Function

The increased expression of the Blimp-1 protein in B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, NK cell and other key immune system effector cells leads to an immune response that is immediate and lasting, through proliferation and differentiation of antibody secreting plasma cells. In this setting among hematopoietic stem cells, Blimp-1 is considered a 'master regulator.'

The modular nature of Blimp-1 in the regulation of gene expression during B cell maturation was first reported by Dr. Mark Davis, et al. at Stanford:

Second cancers after radiation treatment

A genome-wide association study

Genome-wide association study

In genetic epidemiology, a genome-wide association study , also known as whole genome association study , is an examination of many common genetic variants in different individuals to see if any variant is associated with a trait...

 has identified two genetic variations near the PRDM1 gene that predict an increased likelihood of developing a second cancer after radiation treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma.