CHAF1C

CHAF1C is a gene that encodes a protein involved in chromatin assembly. Chromatin is the complex of DNA and proteins that forms chromosomes within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. The protein produced by the CHAF1C gene plays a role in the process of assembling newly synthesized DNA into nucleosomes, which are the basic structural units of chromatin. This assembly is crucial for DNA replication and the maintenance of genome stability.

The CHAF1C gene is part of the Chromatin Assembly Factor 1 (CAF-1) complex. This complex is composed of three subunits, and the protein encoded by CHAF1C is one of these core subunits. CAF-1 is known to bind to newly replicated DNA and facilitate the deposition of histones, the proteins around which DNA is wrapped, to form nucleosomes. This function is particularly important during the S phase of the cell cycle, when DNA is replicated.

Mutations or alterations in the CHAF1C gene can lead to defects in chromatin assembly, which may have implications for various cellular processes and potentially contribute to disease states. Research into the precise functions of CHAF1C and its role within the CAF-1 complex continues to shed light on the intricate mechanisms of genome organization and inheritance.