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

KAT6A and KAT6B are members of the MYST family of lysine acetyltransferases, functioning as histone acetyltransferases that regulate chromatin structure and gene expression by acetylating specific lysine residues on histone proteins, most notably histone H3 at lysine 9 and lysine 23[1][2][3][4][5][6]. KAT6A (MOZ, MYST3) and KAT6B (MORF, MYST4) are large, structurally related enzymes involved in epigenetic regulation, stem cell maintenance, cell cycle progression, and developmental programming[1][4][7]. Dysfunction of these enzymes due to mutation or dysregulation is associated with oncogenesis (particularly acute myeloid leukemia), therapy resistance, and a range of neurodevelopmental syndromes such as KAT6A syndrome and Genitopatellar syndrome[1][3][6][7]. KAT6 complex members interact with cofactor proteins (e.g., BRPF1), and their post-translational modifications serve as biomarkers of both normal development and disease states[3]. Although no approved drugs currently target KAT6A/B directly, they are considered potential therapeutic targets due to their central role in gene regulation and disease[1].

Other names

KAT6A: MOZ (Monocytic leukemic zinc-finger)KAT6A: MYST3KAT6B: MORF (Monocytic leukemia zinc finger protein-related factor)KAT6B: MYST4

Inhibition of histone acetylation (by research compounds or hypothetical drugs) would decrease transcriptional activation of target genes by reducing histone lysine acetylation[1][4]. Disruption of KAT6A/KAT6B may affect chromatin accessibility and epigenetic regulation[1].