Jumonij (JMJ)/Jarid2 plays important roles in embryonic development and 
functions as a transcriptional repressor. Using yeast two-hybrid screening, we 
have identified a cofactor of JMJ, the zinc finger protein 496 (Zfp496) that 
contains a SCAN, KRAB and zinc finger domain. Our molecular analyses indicate 
that Zfp496 functions as a transcriptional activator. Further, Zfp496 inhibits 
the transcriptional repression of JMJ and JMJ represses the transcriptional 
activation of Zfp496. This study demonstrates that JMJ physically and 
functionally interacts with Zfp496, which will provide important insights into 
endogenous target gene regulation by both factors.