General control non-repressed protein 5 (GCN5)

General control non-repressed protein 5 (GCN5), also known as lysine acetyltransferase 2A (KAT2A), is a highly conserved histone acetyltransferase (HAT) that plays a central role in epigenetic regulation of gene expression by acetylating histone and non-histone proteins. This activity facilitates transcriptional activation by remodeling chromatin structure to allow gene transcription. GCN5 regulates diverse biological processes, including metabolism, cellular proliferation, and the response to environmental and developmental signals. Dysfunction of GCN5 has been implicated in a range of disorders, notably cancer, metabolic, and neurological diseases. In plant biology, GCN5 has been shown to regulate iron homeostasis and fatty acid biosynthesis. Although it represents an appealing therapeutic target, direct clinical inhibitors are lacking, and therapeutic approaches must contend with the protein’s broad and essential cellular functions.

Other names

General control non-depressible 5Lysine acetyltransferase 2A (KAT2A)GCN5 acetyltransferase

Inhibition of GCN5 decreases histone acetylation leading to transcriptional repression of its target genes. Modulation of GCN5 may alter acetylation status of metabolic and cell cycle regulators impacting cellular metabolism, stress response, and potentially tumor growth.