Genes coding for zinc-finger proteins constitute about 1% of the mammalian genome. Here we report the cloning of a novel mouse gene (Zfp319) encoding a nuclear protein with 11 zinc-finger motifs of the C2H2 type. Zfp319 consists of two exons, the second of which contains the entire coding sequence. Preliminary evidence suggests that the primary transcript undergoes alternative splicing with the potential of producing Zfp319 isoforms that contain different numbers of zinc fingers or none. The Zfp319 gene maps to chromosome 8, in a region of conserved synteny with the human counterpart on chromosome 16. Finally, overexpression of the Zfp319 protein in stably transfected fibroblasts results in significant reduction of viable cells due to induction of programmed cell death.