MEAF6 is essential for cell proliferation and plays a role in the assembly of KAT7 complexes.

Myst family genes encode lysine acetyltransferases that mainly mediate histone acetylation to control transcription, DNA replication and DNA damage response. They form tetrameric complexes with PHD-finger proteins (Brpfs or Jades) and small non-catalytic subunits Ing4/5 and Meaf6. Although all the components of the complex are well-conserved from yeast to mammals, the function of Meaf6 and its homologs has not been elucidated in any species. Here we revealed the role of Meaf6 utilizing inducible Meaf6 KO ES cells. By elimination of Meaf6, proliferation ceased although histone acetylations were largely unaffected. In the absence of Meaf6, one of the Myst family members Myst2/Kat7 increased the ability to interact with PHD-finger proteins. This study is the first indication of the function of Meaf6, which shows it is not essential for HAT activity but modulates the assembly of the Kat7 complex.