ZNF131 is a BTB/POZ zinc finger transcription factor with dual roles as both a transcriptional activator and repressor, depending on context and binding partners. Structurally, it contains an N-terminal BTB/POZ domain and C-terminal C2H2 zinc fingers 1. ZNF131 shows predominant expression in the developing central nervous system, adult brain, testis, and thymus 1, suggesting roles in neural development and organogenesis. Mechanistically, ZNF131 functions as a transcriptional activator of genes including RAD51, SMC4, and PAIP1 234, while simultaneously acting as a repressor of estrogen receptor-α (ERα) signaling by inhibiting ERα homo-dimerization 5. Its transcriptional activity is regulated through protein-protein interactions; Kaiso heterodimerization suppresses ZNF131-mediated activation 6, while BACH1 interaction enhances protein stability and RAD51-dependent homologous recombination 2. A circular RNA-encoded ZNF131 isoform (ZNF131-354aa) acts as a tumor suppressor in gastric cancer by repressing CTBP2 7. Clinically, ZNF131 overexpression correlates with poor prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, primarily through promoting proliferation, invasion, and therapy resistance 238. Conversely, reducing ZNF131 expression suppresses cancer progression, making it a potential therapeutic target.