Lysine acetyltransferase 6A, Lysine acetyltransferase 6B, and Lysine acetyltransferase 7 (KAT6A, KAT6B, KAT7)

KAT6A, KAT6B, and KAT7 encode closely related lysine acetyltransferases that play essential roles in epigenetic regulation by acetylating specific histone lysine residues, such as H3K9 and H3K23. KAT6A (MOZ) and KAT6B (MORF/QKF) act as mutually exclusive catalytic subunits in chromatin-modifying complexes, regulating gene expression critical for hematopoietic stem cell maintenance, neural stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and brain development. KAT6B deficiency results in reduced histone acetylation, impaired neurogenesis, and intellectual disability syndromes. These enzymes also participate in developmental processes, DNA repair, and cell cycle regulation, and their dysregulation is implicated in cancer and developmental syndromes. KAT7 (HBO1) is vital for histone H3K14 acetylation, DNA replication, embryonic development, and stem cell maintenance. Both inhibition and compensatory overexpression of these targets profoundly impact cell fate and gene expression.

Other names

MOZ (monocytic leukemia zinc finger protein)MORF (MOZ-related factor)QKF (Querkopf)HBO1 (histone acetyltransferase binding to ORC1)

Inhibition or modulation of histone acetyltransferase activity, leading to decreased acetylation of specific histone lysines (H3K9, H3K23), impacting gene expression, chromatin structure, and cell proliferation. Restoration of balanced histone acetylation may counteract aberrant gene transcription in disease states.