UHRF1

Ubiquitin-like, containing PHD and RING finger domains, 1, also known as UHRF1, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the UHRF1 gene.

Function

This gene encodes a member of a subfamily of RING-finger type E3 ubiquitin ligases. The protein binds to specific DNA sequences, and recruits the main DNA methyltransferase gene, DNMT1, to regulate chromatin structure and gene expression. Its expression peaks at late G1 phase and continues during G2 and M phases of the cell cycle. It plays a major role in the G1/S transition by regulating topoisomerase II alpha and retinoblastoma gene expression, and functions in the p53-dependent DNA damage checkpoint. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.

Clinical significance

UHRF1 has recently been identified as a novel oncogene in hepatocellular carcinoma, the primary type of liver cancer.