ATF7IP
Description
The ATF7IP (activating transcription factor 7 interacting protein) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 12.
Activating transcription factor 7-interacting protein 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ATF7IP gene. ATF7IP has been shown to interact with MBD1. In mice with T cell-specific deletion of Atf7ip, the protein has been shown to play a role in regulating T helper 17 cell (Th17) differentiation due to increased IL-2 production upon stimulation of the T cell receptor (TCR). This TCR stimulation occurs through deposition of H3K9me3, a repressive histone mark.
ATF7IP acts as a recruiter, connecting transcription factors to the general transcription machinery. This coupling influences both transcription regulation and chromatin formation. Notably, ATF7IP can function as either an activator or a repressor, depending on the cellular context. It is crucial for HUSH-mediated heterochromatin formation and gene silencing. Furthermore, ATF7IP mediates transcriptional repression dependent on MBD1, likely by recruiting complexes containing SETDB1. It stabilizes SETDB1, enhancing its histone methyltransferase activity, and facilitates the conversion of dimethylated to trimethylated H3 'Lys-9' (H3K9me3). The complex formed with MBD1 and SETDB1 represses transcription and links DNA methylation to histone H3 'Lys-9' trimethylation (H3K9me3). ATF7IP also contributes to telomerase TERT and TERC gene expression through SP1 in cancer cells.
ATF7IP is also known as AM, ATF-IP, ATF7IP1, MCAF, MCAF1, p621.
