MSL2 — MSL complex subunit 2

MSL2 belongs to a gene co-expression module in 4 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.

MSL2's module in each cell type

About the gene

Function

Non-catalytic component of the MSL histone acetyltransferase complex, a multiprotein complex that mediates the majority of histone H4 acetylation at 'Lys-16' (H4K16ac), an epigenetic mark that prevents chromatin compaction. The MSL complex is required for chromosome stability and genome integrity by maintaining homeostatic levels of H4K16ac. The MSL complex is also involved in gene dosage by promoting up-regulation of genes expressed by the X chromosome (By similarity). X up-regulation is required to compensate for autosomal biallelic expression (By similarity). The MSL complex also participates in gene dosage compensation by promoting expression of Tsix non-coding RNA (By similarity). MSL2 plays a key role in gene dosage by ensuring biallelic expression of a subset of dosage-sensitive genes, including many haploinsufficient genes (By similarity). Acts by promoting promoter- enhancer contacts, thereby preventing DNA methylation of one allele and creating a methylation-free environment for methylation-sensitive transcription factors such as SP1, KANSL1 and KANSL3 (By similarity). Also acts as an E3 ubiquitin ligase that promotes monoubiquitination of histone H2B at 'Lys-35' (H2BK34Ub), but not that of H2A. This activity is greatly enhanced by heterodimerization with MSL1. H2B ubiquitination in turn stimulates histone H3 methylation at 'Lys-4' (H3K4me) and 'Lys-79' (H3K79me) and leads to gene activation, including that of HOXA9 and MEIS1. Also involved in the DNA damage response by mediating ubiquitination of TP53/p53 and TP53BP1.

Human Protein Atlas · Open Targets · UniProt

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