ZAP70 [2F3.2]

ZAP-70 is a 70 kD protein tyrosine kinase found in T-cells and natural killer cells. Control of this protein translation is via the IgVH gene. ZAP-70 protein is expressed in leukemic cells of approximately 25% of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cases as well. Anti-ZAP-70 expression is an excellent surrogate marker for the distinction between the Ig-mutated (anti-ZAP-70 negative) and Ig-unmutated (anti-ZAP-70 positive) CLL subtypes and can identify patient groups with divergent clinical courses. The anti-ZAP-70 positive Ig-unmutated CLL cases have been shown to have a poorer prognosis.