Functions as a histone acetyltransferase (HAT) to promote transcriptional activation (PubMed:8945521). Has significant histone acetyltransferase activity with core histones (H3 and H4), and also with nucleosome core particles (PubMed:8945521). Has a a strong preference for acetylation of H3 at ‘Lys-9’ (H3K9ac) (PubMed:21131905). Also acetylates non-histone proteins, such as ACLY, MAPRE1/EB1, PLK4, RRP9/U3-55K and TBX5 (PubMed:10675335, PubMed:23001180, PubMed:23932781, PubMed:26867678, PubMed:27796307, PubMed:29174768, PubMed:9707565). Inhibits cell-cycle progression and counteracts the mitogenic activity of the adenoviral oncoprotein E1A (PubMed:8684459). Acts as a circadian transcriptional coactivator which enhances the activity of the circadian transcriptional activators: NPAS2-BMAL1 and CLOCK-BMAL1 heterodimers (PubMed:14645221). Involved in heart and limb development by mediating acetylation of TBX5, acetylation regulating nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of TBX5 (PubMed:29174768). Acts as a negative regulator of centrosome amplification by mediating acetylation of PLK4 (PubMed:27796307). Acetylates RRP9/U3-55K, a core subunit of the U3 snoRNP complex, impairing pre-rRNA processing (PubMed:26867678). Acetylates MAPRE1/EB1, promoting dynamic kinetochore-microtubule interactions in early mitosis (PubMed:23001180). Also acetylates spermidine (PubMed:27389534). ; (Microbial infection) In case of HIV-1 infection, it is recruited by the viral protein Tat. Regulates Tat’s transactivating activity and may help inducing chromatin remodeling of proviral genes.
