Histone Acetyltransferase Inhibitor Screening Assay Kit

Supplementary info

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

Activity summary

Histone acetyltransferase often abbreviated as HAT is an enzyme responsible for the acetylation of lysine residues in histone proteins. This process known as histone acetylation helps regulate gene expression by relaxing chromatin structure and making DNA more accessible for transcription. HATs include various families such as the GNAT and MYST families. These enzymes are expressed in many cell types and found both in the nucleus where they modify histones and in the cytoplasm where they can acetylate non-histone proteins. Histone acetyltransferase enzyme typically weighs approximately 55 to 120 kDa with variation depending on the specific member and isoform.

Biological function summary

Histone acetyltransferases play a significant role in epigenetic regulation by altering chromatin dynamics. They are often part of large multiprotein complexes that are key to gene regulation and they influence various cellular processes such as DNA repair replication and transcription. By transferring an acetyl group from acetyl coenzyme A to histone tails HATs facilitate transcriptional activation. This action can be measured using a histone acetyltransferase assay which quantifies their activity providing insights into their impact on gene expression.

Pathways

Histone acetyltransferases are central to several important pathways including the regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II and the p53 signaling pathway. HATs collaborate with other proteins such as transcription factors and coactivators to modulate these pathways. For instance they can interact with transcription factors to guide gene-specific transcriptional activation. These interactions make HAT activity relevant in studying cellular responses to external signals and maintaining homeostasis.

Associated diseases and disorders

Abnormal histone acetyltransferase activity relates to cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. In cancer aberrant HAT function can lead to dysregulated gene expression promoting tumorigenesis. Histone acetyltransferase inhibitors have emerged as potential therapeutic agents in cancer treatment. Additionally in neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington's disease altered histone acetylation patterns disturb gene expression necessary for neuronal function. Proteins like HDACs (histone deacetylases) also play a major role here as they reverse HAT-induced acetylation offering a balance in the regulation of acetylation status.