![[WT1 Gene.png|420]] Encodes a zinc-finger [[DNA-binding proteins]]that acts as a transcriptional activator or repressor. Considered as a transcriptional repressor in normal conditions, fusion protein may instead bind and transactivate genes that are usually repressed by WT1 by virtue of the retained zinc-finger domain. > The WT1 gene encodes a zinc-finger transcription factor whose deletion was linked to the etiology of Wilms' tumor, a pediatric kidney cancer [33](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030438350600190X#bib33). > > Consistent with its tumor suppressor role, we have previously shown that WT1 binds to specific cis-elements in the IGF-IR gene regulatory region and suppresses IGF-IR gene transcription [25](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030438350600190X#bib25). > > WT1 has been implicated in the protein stabilization of TP53 and regulates the expression of several target genes include MYC and BCL2, which are important for cellular growth and metabolism (PMID: 8389468).