Histone H2A.Z variant (H2A.Z)

Histone H2A.Z variant is a highly conserved non-canonical histone of the H2A family, encoded in humans primarily by the H2AFZ (H2A.Z1) and H2AFV (H2A.Z2) genes[2][4][5]. It is deposited into nucleosomes at specific genomic loci, particularly at promoter and enhancer regions, where it modulates chromatin accessibility and structure. H2A.Z governs transcription by both activating and repressing gene expression depending on context, and plays important roles in chromosome segregation, centromere function, DNA repair, and cell cycle control[1][2][4][6]. There are two main vertebrate isoforms, H2A.Z.1 and H2A.Z.2, with minimal sequence divergence but distinct regulatory roles: H2A.Z.1 influences expression of genes like Myc and Ki-67 and is linked to cell cycle progression, while H2A.Z.2 is essential for centromere integrity and chromosome cohesion[2][4][5]. H2A.Z dysfunction is implicated in cancer and certain developmental disorders, but it is not currently considered a direct therapeutic target, and there are no approved drugs or investigational molecules designed to specifically inhibit or modulate H2A.Z in clinical use[4][5].

Other names

H2AFZ (gene)H2A.Z1H2A.Z2H2A.Z-1H2A.Z-2H2AFV (gene)