KAT6A

KAT6A (Lysine Acetyltransferase 6A), formerly known as MYST3 or MOZ, is a gene that encodes a protein playing a crucial role in the regulation of transcription and the development of the embryo. KAT6A is part of the MYST family of histone acetyltransferases (HATs), which are involved in chromatin remodeling and play a pivotal role in the control of gene expression by acetylating histone and non-histone proteins. This modification can either activate or repress gene expression, depending on the context and specific residues that are acetylated.

Function

KAT6A is involved in critical cellular processes including DNA repair, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis. By acetylating histone proteins, KAT6A alters the chromatin structure, making it either more accessible for transcription factors and the transcriptional machinery or more compact and repressed. This dynamic regulation is essential for proper gene expression patterns during development and in response to environmental stimuli.

Clinical Significance

Mutations in the KAT6A gene have been associated with developmental disorders and cancers. KAT6A syndrome, caused by heterozygous mutations in the KAT6A gene, is characterized by intellectual disability, developmental delay, congenital heart defects, gastrointestinal anomalies, and distinctive facial features. In cancer, alterations in the expression or function of KAT6A have been implicated in the pathogenesis of certain types of leukemia and solid tumors. The gene's role in chromatin remodeling and gene expression regulation makes it a potential target for therapeutic intervention in these diseases.

Genetics

The KAT6A gene is located on the long (q) arm of chromosome 8 at position 22.2, from base pair 108,636,994 to 108,722,024. It consists of multiple exons that encode a protein with a variety of domains essential for its HAT activity and interaction with other proteins involved in transcriptional regulation.

Research Directions

Current research on KAT6A is focused on understanding its precise molecular mechanisms in chromatin remodeling, its role in normal development and disease, and how its dysfunction contributes to the pathogenesis of KAT6A syndrome and cancer. Additionally, efforts are being made to explore the therapeutic potential of targeting KAT6A in cancer treatment, either by inhibiting its enzymatic activity or by modulating its expression.

See Also

• Histone acetylation
• Chromatin remodeling
• Gene expression
• Transcription (genetics)
• DNA repair