CTCF
Chr 16ADCCCTC-binding factor
Also known as: CFAP108, FAP108, MRD21
CTCF encodes a chromatin binding factor with 11 zinc finger domains that regulates 3D chromatin structure, forms chromatin loops, and controls gene expression by binding to chromatin insulators and preventing interaction between promoters and enhancers. Heterozygous mutations cause autosomal dominant intellectual developmental disorder. This gene is highly constrained against loss-of-function variants, indicating that such variants are likely pathogenic.
Definitive — sufficient evidence for diagnostic panels
Population Genetics & Constraint
gnomAD v4 — loss-of-function & missense intolerance
Among the most LoF-intolerant genes (~top 3%)
Highly missense-constrained (top ~0.1%)
This gene has evidence for multiple mechanisms of pathogenicity (loss-of-function and gain-of-function). Both the Badonyi & Marsh prediction and the broader genomic evidence point to loss-of-function as the predominant mechanism. Different variants in this gene may act through different mechanisms — interpret in context of the specific variant.
Literature Evidence
Predictions from Badonyi M, Marsh JA. PLoS ONE. 2024;19(8):e0307312. Mechanism ranking also informed by gnomAD constraint, ClinVar, and ClinGen data.
ClinVar Variant Classifications
424 submitted variants in ClinVar
Classification Summary
Curated Variants Distribution
Classified variants from ClinVar · 5 ACMG categories
| Classification | LoF | Missense + Inframe | Non-coding | Synonymous | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pathogenic | 30 | 9 | 27 | 0 | 66 |
Likely Pathogenic | 21 | 31 | 3 | 0 | 55 |
VUS | 2 | 161 | 12 | 1 | 176 |
Likely Benign | 0 | 10 | 18 | 43 | 71 |
Benign | 0 | 0 | 18 | 3 | 21 |
Conflicting | — | 15 | |||
| Total | 53 | 211 | 78 | 47 | 404 |
LoF = frameshift, stop gained/lost, canonical splice · Counts from ClinVar esearch · Updated hourly
View in ClinVar →Protein Context — Lollipop Plot
CTCF · protein map & ClinVar variants
Showing all ClinVar variants across the protein. Search a specific variant to highlight its position.
3D Protein StructureAlphaFold
External Resources
Links to major genomics databases and tools
Clinical Trials
Active and recruiting trials from ClinicalTrials.gov
Online Study of People Who Have Genetic Changes and Features of Autism: Simons Searchlight
RECRUITINGDiet Impact on Hepatic Transcriptomics and Lipidomics in Pre-diabetes
ACTIVE NOT RECRUITINGExternal Resources
Links to major genomics databases and tools