Zinc-finger proteins contain DNA-binding domains and have a wide variety of functions, most of which encompass some form of transcriptional activation or repression. SCNM1 (sodium channel modifier 1) is a 230 amino acid protein that contains one matrin-type zinc finger. Localized to the nucleus, SCNM1 is thought to function as an RNA splicing factor that may modify the expression of sodium channel-related proteins. SCNM1 exists as two alternatively spliced isoforms that are encoded by a gene which maps to chromosome 1. Chromosome 1 is the largest human chromosome, spanning about 260 million base pairs and making up 8% of the human genome. Several disorders, including Stickler syndrome, Parkinsons Disease, Gaucher disease, malignant melanoma and Usher syndrome, are caused by defects in genes that localize to chromosome 1