InterPro domain: IPR024943

The enhancer of polycomb gene of Drosophila encodes a chromatin protein conserved in yeast and mammals [ 1 ]. The homologous yeast protein, known as enhancer of polycomb-like protein 1 (Epl1), is a subunit of the NuA4 histone acetyltransferase (HAT) complex, which is involved in transcriptional activation of selected genes principally by acetylation of nucleosomal histone H4 and H2A [ 2 ]. Epl1 also found in a novel highly active smaller complex named Piccolo NuA4 (picNuA4), which strongly prefers chromatin over free histones as substrate [ 3 ]. The NuA4 HAT complex is highly conserved in eukaryotes, and it plays primary roles in transcription, cellular response to DNA damage, and cell cycle control [ 3 ].

This entry represents all eukaryotic enhancer of polycomb proteins, including enhancer of polycomb-like proteins.

1. The enhancer of polycomb gene of Drosophila encodes a chromatin protein conserved in yeast and mammals. Development 125, 4055-66
2. Yeast enhancer of polycomb defines global Esa1-dependent acetylation of chromatin. Genes Dev. 17, 1415-28
3. Structural and functional conservation of the NuA4 histone acetyltransferase complex from yeast to humans. Mol. Cell. Biol. 24, 1884-96