Zfyl encodes a nuclear sequence-specific DNA binding protein.

Zfyl is a mouse Y chromosomal gene encoding a zinc finger protein which is thought to have some function during spermatogenesis. Here we show that, when introduced into tissue culture cells, Zfyl is targeted to the nucleus. Two independent signals are present within the protein for nuclear localization. This nuclear Zfyl protein is able to bind strongly to DNA-cellulose and, using site-selection assays, we have identified specific Zfyl DNA binding sites. Taken together these results suggest that Zfyl is a nuclear-located sequence-specific DNA binding protein which functions during spermatogenesis.