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KAT2A / GCN5

Domain

Loop3 is required for substrate specificity and adopts different structural conformations in succinyl-CoA-bound and acetyl-CoA-bound forms. Tyr-645 has an important role in the selective binding of succinyl-CoA over acetyl-CoA.

Function

Protein lysine acyltransferase that can act as a acetyltransferase, glutaryltransferase or succinyltransferase, depending on the context (PubMed:29211711). Acts as a histone lysine succinyltransferase: catalyzes succinylation of histone H3 on 'Lys-79' (H3K79succ), with a maximum frequency around the transcription start sites of genes (PubMed:29211711). Succinylation of histones gives a specific tag for epigenetic transcription activation (PubMed:29211711). Association with the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex, which provides succinyl-CoA, is required for histone succinylation (PubMed:29211711). In different complexes, functions either as an acetyltransferase (HAT) or as a succinyltransferase: in the SAGA and ATAC complexes, acts as a histone acetyltransferase (PubMed:17301242, PubMed:19103755, PubMed:29211711). Has significant histone acetyltransferase activity with core histones, but not with nucleosome core particles (PubMed:17301242, PubMed:19103755). Acetylation of histones gives a specific tag for epigenetic transcription activation (PubMed:17301242, PubMed:19103755, PubMed:29211711). Recruited by the XPC complex at promoters, where it specifically mediates acetylation of histone variant H2A.Z.1/H2A.Z, thereby promoting expression of target genes (PubMed:29973595, PubMed:31527837). Involved in long-term memory consolidation and synaptic plasticity: acts by promoting expression of a hippocampal gene expression network linked to neuroactive receptor signaling (By similarity). Acts as a positive regulator of T-cell activation: upon TCR stimulation, recruited to the IL2 promoter following interaction with NFATC2 and catalyzes acetylation of histone H3 at 'Lys-9' (H3K9ac), leading to promote IL2 expression (By similarity). Required for growth and differentiation of craniofacial cartilage and bone by regulating acetylation of histone H3 at 'Lys-9' (H3K9ac) (By similarity). Regulates embryonic stem cell (ESC) pluripotency and differentiation (By similarity). Also acetylates non-histone proteins, such as CEBPB, PLK4 and TBX5 (PubMed:17301242, PubMed:27796307, PubMed:29174768). Involved in heart and limb development by mediating acetylation of TBX5, acetylation regulating nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of TBX5 (PubMed:29174768). Acts as a negative regulator of centrosome amplification by mediating acetylation of PLK4 (PubMed:27796307). Also acts as a histone glutaryltransferase: catalyzes glutarylation of histone H4 on 'Lys-91' (H4K91glu), a mark that destabilizes nucleosomes by promoting dissociation of the H2A-H2B dimers from nucleosomes (PubMed:31542297).

(Microbial infection) In case of HIV-1 infection, it is recruited by the viral protein Tat. Regulates Tat's transactivating activity and may help inducing chromatin remodeling of proviral genes.

Sequence similarities

Belongs to the acetyltransferase family. GCN5 subfamily.

Tissue specificity

Expressed in all tissues tested, with most abundant expression in ovary.

Cellular localization

  • Nucleus
  • Chromosome
  • Cytoplasm
  • Cytoskeleton
  • Microtubule organizing center
  • Centrosome
  • Mainly localizes to the nucleus (PubMed:27796307). Also localizes to centrosomes in late G1 and around the G1/S transition, coinciding with the onset of centriole formation (PubMed:27796307).

Alternative names

  • Histone acetyltransferase KAT2A
  • General control of amino acid synthesis protein 5-like 2
  • Histone acetyltransferase GCN5
  • Histone glutaryltransferase KAT2A
  • Histone succinyltransferase KAT2A
  • Lysine acetyltransferase 2A
  • STAF97
  • hGCN5
  • GCN5
  • KAT2A
  • GCN5L2

Target type

Proteins

Primary research area

Epigenetics

Molecular weight

93926Da