| 2016 |
ATF7IP is essential for SETDB1 stability: nuclear SETDB1 protein is degraded by the proteasome upon ablation of ATF7IP. Loss of ATF7IP phenocopies loss of SETDB1, with near-identical defects in global H3K9me3 deposition and similar transcriptome dysregulation, including failure of HUSH complex-mediated transgene silencing. |
ATF7IP knockout cells, proteasome inhibitor rescue, genome-wide H3K9me3 ChIP-seq, RNA-seq |
Cell reports |
High |
27732843
|
| 2019 |
ATF7IP mediates retention of SETDB1 in the nucleus by binding to the N-terminal region of SETDB1 that harbors nuclear export signal (NES) motifs, thereby inhibiting Crm1-mediated nuclear export and promoting nuclear import. Nuclear SETDB1 accumulates in a more ubiquitinated, enzymatically active form. |
Co-immunoprecipitation, nuclear/cytoplasmic fractionation, NES deletion/mutation analysis, ubiquitination assays |
EMBO reports |
High |
31576654
|
| 2025 |
One copy of Setdb1 and two copies of ATF7IP form a 1:2 hetero-trimeric complex in vitro and in cells. ATF7IP self-associates into multimers that are resolved upon Setdb1 binding. ATF7IP binds the Setdb1 NES motifs via coiled-coil interactions and directly competes with Crm1 for these sites, blocking Crm1-mediated nuclear export of Setdb1. |
AlphaFold2 structural prediction, biochemical reconstitution, native mass spectrometry, Co-IP in cells, competition binding assays |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
High |
40339988
|
| 2016 |
SETDB1 and ATF7IP form a 1:1 stoichiometric complex in vitro. The SETDB1:ATF7IP complex efficiently catalyzes mono- and di-methylation of H3K9 peptides, but the binary complex shows 4-fold lower activity than SETDB1 alone due to a decreased kcat with comparable substrate KM. ATF7IP does not affect the distributive mechanism of H3K9 methylation by SETDB1. |
Co-expression and purification of 1:1 complex, radiometric flashplate assay, SAMDI mass spectrometry, kinetic analysis |
Biochemistry |
High |
26813693
|
| 2006 |
MCAF1 (ATF7IP) directly interacts with SUMO-2/3 and SUMO-1. SUMOylation of MBD1 facilitates the interaction between MBD1 and MCAF1. In cells, MCAF1 co-localizes with MBD1 in heterochromatin regions enriched in H3K9me3, HP1β, and HP1γ. Knockdown of SUMO-2/3 or SUMO-1 dissociates MCAF1, H3K9me3, and HP1 from MBD1-containing heterochromatin foci. |
Protein-binding assays, co-immunoprecipitation, siRNA knockdown, immunofluorescence/confocal microscopy |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
High |
16757475
|
| 2018 |
G9a/GLP tri-methylates ATF7IP at a histone H3K9-like lysine mimic. The chromodomain protein MPP8, a known H3K9me3-reader and component of the HUSH silencing complex, recognizes methylated ATF7IP via its chromodomain. Induction of SETDB1/MPP8-mediated provirus silencing is delayed in mESCs expressing only an un-methylatable ATF7IP mutant, but the ATF7IP–SETDB1 interaction itself does not depend on ATF7IP methylation. |
Comprehensive substrate screen in mESCs, in vitro methylation assays, chromodomain binding assay, un-methylatable mutant rescue in Atf7ip KO mESCs, reporter-provirus silencing assay |
Epigenetics & chromatin |
High |
30286792
|
| 2020 |
The SETDB1-interaction region within ATF7IP is essential for SETDB1 nuclear localization and silencing of ERVs and integrated retroviral transgenes. The C-terminal fibronectin type-III (FNIII) domain of ATF7IP is dispensable for SETDB1 nuclear localization but contributes to efficient SETDB1 complex-mediated silencing; it acts as a binding hub for additional interacting proteins including ZMYM2 and MGA (via a consensus FAM motif). ZMYM2 was shown to be involved in efficient transgene silencing. |
Truncation mutants in Atf7ip KO mESCs, retroviral reporter silencing assay, RNA-seq, proteomics (AP-MS) of FNIII domain interactors, siRNA knockdown of ZMYM2 |
Epigenetics & chromatin |
High |
33256805
|
| 2009 |
Windei (Wde), the Drosophila homolog of MCAF1/ATF7IP, is an essential cofactor of the H3K9 methyltransferase dSETDB1/Eggless required for its nuclear localization and function in female germ line cells. Deletion analysis combined with co-immunoprecipitation identified the regions in Wde and Egg necessary and sufficient for their interaction. |
Genetic loss-of-function in Drosophila, deletion analysis, co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence |
PLoS genetics |
High |
19750210
|
| 2008 |
MCAF1 (ATF7IP) interacts directly with Sp1 and the general transcriptional apparatus through two evolutionarily conserved domains. Depletion of MCAF1 or Sp1 down-regulates TERT and TERC genes, reducing telomerase activity. MCAF1 promotes occupancy of active RNA Pol II and ERCC3 at the TERT promoter. |
siRNA knockdown, telomerase activity assay (TRAP), ChIP at TERT promoter, co-immunoprecipitation, domain deletion analysis |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
High |
19106100
|
| 2014 |
ATF7IP and MBD1 form a complex that is co-opted by the transcriptional regulator Aire for targeting and activating loci encoding tissue-specific antigens in thymic epithelial cells. Mbd1-/- mice develop autoimmunity and have a defect in Aire-dependent thymic expression of TSA genes. |
Co-immunoprecipitation (Aire-ATF7IP/MBD1 interaction), Mbd1 knockout mice, gene expression analysis |
Nature immunology |
High |
24464130
|
| 2014 |
The Mbd1-Atf7ip-Setdb1 pathway contributes to maintenance of X chromosome inactivation (XCI) in somatic cells. siRNA-mediated knockdown of Atf7ip in MEFs induces reactivation of Xi-linked reporter genes, an effect strongly enhanced by additional inhibition of DNA methylation or Xist. Depletion of MBD1 or SETDB1, but not unrelated H3K9 methyltransferases, similarly reactivates Xi-linked reporters. |
siRNA knockdown in MEFs, Xi reporter reactivation assay, genetic epistasis with DNA methylation inhibitors and Xist depletion |
Epigenetics & chromatin |
Medium |
25028596
|
| 2019 |
ATF7ip represses Il2 gene expression in T cells through deposition of H3K9me3 at the Il2-Il21 intergenic region. T cell-specific deletion of Atf7ip leads to aberrant overproduction of IL-2 upon TCR stimulation, impaired Th17 differentiation, and resistance to colitis in vivo. |
T cell-specific Atf7ip conditional KO mice, ChIP-seq (H3K9me3 at Il2 locus), cytokine measurements, in vivo colitis model |
The Journal of experimental medicine |
High |
31217192
|
| 2022 |
ATF7ip targets transposable elements for H3K9me3 deposition at the Il7r locus and Il2-Il21 intergenic region in CD8+ T cells, repressing Il7r and Il2 expression. T cell-specific deletion of Atf7ip enhances IL-7R and IL-2 expression, leading to enhanced CD8+ T cell effector and memory responses. |
T cell-specific Atf7ip KO mice, ChIP-seq (H3K9me3), gene expression analysis, viral infection memory model |
Journal of immunology |
High |
35110421
|
| 2021 |
Disruption of Atf7ip or Setdb1 in tumor cells restores tumor antigen expression, elevates endogenous retroviral (ERV) antigen levels and mRNA intron retention, triggers a type I interferon response, and increases T-cell infiltration. This was identified via a CRISPR-Cas9 suppressor screen in a syngeneic immune escape tumor model. |
CRISPR-Cas9 suppressor screen, syngeneic transplantable tumor model, ERV expression analysis, IFN response assay, T cell infiltration measurement |
Cancer immunology research |
Medium |
34462284
|
| 2022 |
In zebrafish, Atf7ip regulates hematopoiesis through Setdb1-mediated H3K9me3 modification of hematopoietic regulatory genes including cebpβ and cdkn1a, preventing premature myeloid differentiation and maintaining HSPC expansion. Loss of Atf7ip or Setdb1 also derepresses retrotransposons, activating Mda5/RLR innate immune signaling and driving stress myelopoiesis. |
Zebrafish atf7ip/setdb1 mutants, H3K9me3 ChIP, ChIP-seq, gene expression analysis, retrotransposon derepression assay, innate immune signaling measurement |
PNAS |
High |
36577070
|
| 2025 |
MGA, a scaffolding component of PRC1.6, directly recruits SETDB1 to meiosis-related genes in mouse ESCs via its interaction with ATF7IP, depositing H3K9me3 and establishing a robustly repressed chromatin state beyond that achieved by PRC1/PRC2 alone. |
Co-immunoprecipitation (MGA-ATF7IP-SETDB1), ChIP-seq (H3K9me3 at meiosis-related genes), genetic KO of MGA/ATF7IP in mESCs |
iScience |
Medium |
40727931
|
| 2025 |
In zebrafish, Atf7ip interacts with Setdb1 to catalyze H3K9me3 modification of the bach2b gene, derepressing ccr9a and irf4a expression and promoting lymphoid progenitor thymic homing and T cell differentiation. Depletion of ATF7IP in mice (CAG-CreERT2 and Mx1-iCre) impedes hematopoietic progenitor migration to the thymus, reducing T lymphopoiesis. |
Zebrafish atf7ip/setdb1 mutants, H3K9me3 ChIP at bach2b, rescue experiments (irf4a overexpression, bach2b knockdown), conditional KO in mice |
Nature communications |
High |
40670340
|
| 2005 |
MCAF1 (ATF7IP) interacts with both the EBV transcription factor Rta and Sp1, forming a trimeric Sp1-MCAF1-Rta complex at Sp1 binding sites that activates Sp1-dependent transcription. The Rta-MCAF1 interaction is prevented when Rta is bound to an Rta-response element (RRE), restricting MCAF1's co-activator role to Sp1-dependent (non-RRE) promoters. |
Yeast two-hybrid, co-immunoprecipitation, transient transfection reporter assays, ChIP |
Nucleic acids research |
Medium |
16314315
|
| 2010 |
MCAF1 (ATF7IP) acts as an intermediary enabling Rta and Zta (EBV transcription factors) to form a trimeric complex at Zta response elements (ZRE) in vitro and in cells, allowing synergistic transcriptional activation of EBV lytic genes. The interaction between Rta and Zta in vitro requires the region between amino acids 562–816 of MCAF1. |
In vitro complex formation, co-immunoprecipitation, ChIP, confocal microscopy, MCAF1 siRNA knockdown, domain deletion analysis |
Nucleic acids research |
Medium |
20385599
|
| 2025 |
ATF7IP promotes H3K9me3 deposition at the Il7r locus and Il2-Il21 intergenic region in CD8+ T cells, facilitating terminal T cell exhaustion. Loss of Atf7ip in CD8+ T cells decreases terminal exhaustion and increases progenitor-exhausted cell numbers in chronic viral infection and cancer models. |
T cell-specific Atf7ip KO, ChIP-seq, chronic viral infection model, tumor models, exhaustion marker analysis |
Cancer immunology research |
Medium |
41973040
|
| 2025 |
ATF7IP inhibits ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by two mechanisms: (1) interacting with SETDB1 to epigenetically silence CYB5R2 transcription, thereby reducing cellular Fe2+ levels; and (2) stabilizing the antioxidant protein PARK7, preserving the transsulfuration pathway for glutathione production. |
ATF7IP knockdown, Co-IP (ATF7IP-SETDB1), ChIP at CYB5R2 locus, glutathione measurement, lipid peroxidation assay, PARK7 protein stability assay, in vivo xenograft |
Redox biology |
Medium |
40716153
|
| 2023 |
Atf7ip contributes to nuclear localization of Setdb1 in osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1 cells) but does not affect Setdb1 expression levels. Atf7ip negatively regulates Sp7 (Osterix) expression; Sp7 knockdown attenuates the pro-differentiation effect of Atf7ip deletion, placing Sp7 downstream of Atf7ip in osteoblast differentiation. Osteoblast-specific Atf7ip KO mice show increased bone formation. |
Atf7ip overexpression and KO in MC3T3-E1 cells, conditional KO mice (Oc-Cre;Atf7ip), µ-CT and histomorphometry, nuclear fractionation, siRNA epistasis (Sp7) |
International journal of molecular sciences |
Medium |
36901736
|
| 2015 |
The ATF7IP-PDGFRB fusion protein constitutively activates PDGFRB kinase and downstream AKT and MAPK signaling, transforming Ba/F3 cells to cytokine-independent growth. Tyrosine-to-phenylalanine mutations at MAPK adaptor binding sites in the PDGFRB portion abolish transformation, indicating MAPK signaling is critical for ATF7IP-PDGFRB-mediated cell transformation. |
Ba/F3 transformation assay, site-directed mutagenesis of PDGFRB signaling residues, phospho-Western blotting, tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment, MEK inhibitor selectivity assay |
Experimental hematology |
Medium |
26703895
|
| 2025 |
SETDB1/ATF7IP (heterodimer) and the downstream HUSH complex are negative regulators of the homology-directed repair sub-pathway ssDI (single-stranded DNA incorporation) specifically at transgenic reporter loci and HUSH-regulated single-copy genes, but not at other endogenous loci. This was identified in a genome-wide CRISPR KO screen. |
Genome-wide CRISPR KO screen, ssDI reporter assay, epistasis with HUSH complex components |
Epigenetics & chromatin |
Low |
41656257
|
| 2025 |
SETDB1, ATF7IP, SIN3A/B, and LRIF1 are necessary for epigenetic silencing activity conferred by a discrete D4Z4 fragment adjacent to a constitutively-driven reporter, establishing these factors as required components of D4Z4-mediated epigenetic repression of DUX4. |
D4Z4 fragment reporter assay, siRNA/KD of individual factors, p38 inhibitor enhancement assay |
bioRxiv (preprint)preprint |
Low |
bio_10.1101_2025.02.19.639175
|