Chromatin reader protein that specifically recognizes and binds histone H4 acetylated at ‘Lys-5’ and ‘Lys-12’ (H4K5ac and H4K12ac, respectively), thereby controlling gene expression and remodeling chromatin structures (PubMed:17148447, PubMed:17848202, PubMed:18406326, PubMed:20048151, PubMed:20709061, PubMed:20871596). Recruits transcription factors and coactivators to target gene sites, and activates RNA polymerase II machinery for transcriptional elongation (PubMed:28262505). Plays a key role in genome compartmentalization via its association with CTCF and cohesin: recruited to chromatin by CTCF and promotes formation of topologically associating domains (TADs) via its ability to bind acetylated histones, contributing to CTCF boundary formation and enhancer insulation (PubMed:35410381). Also recognizes and binds acetylated non-histone proteins, such as STAT3 (PubMed:28262505). Involved in inflammatory response by regulating differentiation of naive CD4(+) T-cells into T-helper Th17: recognizes and binds STAT3 acetylated at ‘Lys-87’, promoting STAT3 recruitment to chromatin (PubMed:28262505). In addition to acetylated lysines, also recognizes and binds lysine residues on histones that are both methylated and acetylated on the same side chain to form N6-acetyl-N6-methyllysine (Kacme), an epigenetic mark of active chromatin associated with increased transcriptional initiation (PubMed:37731000). Specifically binds histone H4 acetyl-methylated at ‘Lys-5’ and ‘Lys-12’ (H4K5acme and H4K12acme, respectively) (PubMed:37731000).
