| BPTF (bromodomain and PHD domain transcription factor) is the largest subunit of the ATP-dependent chromatin-remodelling complex, NURF (nucleosome remodelling factor). NURF catalyses ATP-dependent nucleosome sliding and facilitates transcription. BPTF recognises histone H3 tails that are tri-methylated at K4, which marks the transcriptional start site of the vast majority of transcriptionally active genes. BPTF also exhibits some binding to H3 di-methylated at K4. BPTF plays a key role in the development of early mouse embryos, possibly through regulation of the Smad pathway of transcription factors. While BPTF is expressed in low levels in the adult brain and spinal cord, it is expressed in higher levels in the brain in neurodegenerative diseases. It is present in a subset of amyloid-containing plaques in the brains of patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Abundantly expressed in the fetal brain. Present throughout the gray and white matter of the developing spinal cord at 18-22 gestational weeks. Expressed at low levels in adult brain and spinal cord and reexpressed in neurodegenerative diseases (at protein level) .Tissue specificity: Ubiquitously expressed, with highest levels in testis. Present in kidney, liver and brain. In the brain, highest levels are found in motor cortex (at protein level). |
