HMGA1
Description
The HMGA1 (high mobility group AT-hook 1) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 6.
HMGA1 is a non-histone chromatin protein involved in various cellular processes, including gene transcription regulation, DNA replication, heterochromatin organization, retroviral integration, and cancer metastasis. It is a small, basic protein with three AT-hooks, a cross-linking domain, and an acidic tail. HMGA1 is highly dynamic in cells and binds to DNA with high affinity, preferentially targeting AT-rich regions. It exhibits diverse posttranslational modifications and is primarily located in the nucleus, particularly in heterochromatin, but also found in mitochondria and the cytoplasm. Two isoforms, HMGA1a and HMGA1b, have been identified, and they can cross-link DNA fibers in vitro and induce chromatin clustering in vivo, suggesting a structural role in heterochromatin organization. A splice variant, HMGA1c, with two AT-hooks and no acidic tail, is under debate regarding its membership in the HMGA family.
HMGA1 is also known as HMG-R, HMGA1A, HMGIY.
