This gene encodes the adenovirus E1A-associated cellular
p300 transcriptional co-activator protein. It functions as histone
acetyltransferase that regulates transcription via chromatin
remodeling and is important in the processes of cell proliferation
and differentiation. It mediates cAMP-gene regulation by binding
specifically to phosphorylated CREB protein. This gene has also
been identified as a co-activator of HIF1A (hypoxia-inducible
factor 1 alpha), and thus plays a role in the stimulation of
hypoxia-induced genes such as VEGF. Defects in this gene are a
cause of Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome and may also play a role in
epithelial cancer.
