DPF1 is a 353 amino acid protein that contains two PHD-type zinc fingers and belongs to the requiem/DPF family. Localized to both the nucleus and the cytoplasm, DPF1 is thought to play an important role in the regulation of neuronal cell survival. Specifically, DPF1 may function as a neurospecific transcription factor that binds DNA and participates in cell cycle progression. Human and rat DPF1 share 93% sequence identity, suggesting a conserved role between species. Multiple isoforms of DPF1 exist due to alternative splicing events.