InterPro domain: IPR021998

The Alfin family includes PHD finger protein Alfin1 and Alfin1-like proteins. They contain a conserved N domain at the N terminus, a PHD finger domain with conserved C4HC3 residues at the C terminus and a variable V region between the two conserved domains [ 1 ]. Alfin1 is a histone-binding component that specifically recognises H3 tails trimethylated on 'Lys-4' (H3K4me3), which marks transcription start sites of virtually all active genes [ 2 , 3 ]. Alfin1-like proteins have been shown to play roles in root growth and abiotic stress response [ 4 ].

This entry represents the N-terminal domain found in Alfin family members.

1. An Alfin-like gene from Atriplex hortensis enhances salt and drought tolerance and abscisic acid response in transgenic Arabidopsis. Sci Rep 8, 2707
2. Transgenic overexpression of the transcription factor alfin1 enhances expression of the endogenous MsPRP2 gene in alfalfa and improves salinity tolerance of the plants Plant Physiol. 120, 473-80
3. Alfin1 transcription factor overexpression enhances plant root growth under normal and saline conditions and improves salt tolerance in alfalfa. Planta 210, 416-22