The function of Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000162702 (ZNF281, zinc finger protein 281) is as follows. Transcription repressor that plays a role in regulation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) differentiation. Required for ESCs differentiation and acts by mediating autorepression of NANOG in ESCs: binds to the NANOG promoter and promotes association of NANOG protein to its own promoter and recruits the NuRD complex, which deacetylates histones. Not required for establishement and maintenance of ESCs (By similarity). Represses the transcription of a number of genes including GAST, ODC1 and VIM. Binds to the G-rich box in the enhancer region of these genes. {ECO:0000250, ECO:0000269|PubMed:10448078, ECO:0000269|PubMed:12771217}.