ATF7 — Activating transcription factor 7

ATF7 belongs to a gene co-expression module in 1 of 28 SCUBA cell types. Each module groups genes that rise and fall together in that cell type; the genes it shares a module with are its closest co-expression partners there.

ATF7's module in each cell type

About the gene

Function

Stress-responsive chromatin regulator that plays a role in various biological processes including innate immunological memory, adipocyte differentiation or telomerase regulation. In absence of stress, contributes to the formation of heterochromatin and heterochromatin-like structure by recruiting histone H3K9 tri- and di-methyltransferases thus silencing the transcription of target genes such as STAT1 in adipocytes, or genes involved in innate immunity in macrophages and adipocytes (By similarity). Stress induces ATF7 phosphorylation that disrupts interactions with histone methyltransferase and enhances the association with coactivators containing histone acetyltransferase and/or histone demethylase, leading to disruption of the heterochromatin-like structure and subsequently transcriptional activation (By similarity). In response to TNF-alpha, which is induced by various stresses, phosphorylated ATF7 and telomerase are released from telomeres leading to telomere shortening. Also plays a role in maintaining epithelial regenerative capacity and protecting against cell death during intestinal epithelial damage and repair (By similarity). Acts as a dominant repressor of the E- selectin/NF-ELAM1/delta-A promoter. Acts as a negative regulator, inhibiting both ATF2 and ATF7 transcriptional activities. It may exert these effects by sequestrating in the cytoplasm the Thr-53 phosphorylating kinase, preventing activation

Human Protein Atlas · Open Targets · UniProt

Gene annotation from the Human Protein Atlas and UniProt; see sources & licences.