LZTR2, also known as RGPR-p117, is a member of the BTB-kelch superfamily and was initially described as a nuclear factor I (NFI) binding protein and transcriptional regulator of the regucalcin gene. LZTR2 is cytoplasmically localized but is thought to translocate to the nucleus, a process mediated by protein kinase C signaling following hormonal stimulation. Recent evidence has suggested that there is a strong correlation of single nucleotide polymorphisms of LZTR2 with obesity in the Japanese population similar to that seen with the TMEM18 gene and the GNPDA2, BDNF, FAIM2, and MC4R genes with obesity in Caucasian populations, suggesting LZTR2 may play a role in metabolism and obesity risk.
