Acetylation and modulation of erythroid Krüppel-like factor (EKLF) activity by interaction with histone acetyltransferases

Erythroid Krüppel-like factor (EKLF) is a red cell-specific transcriptional activator that is crucial for consolidating the switch to high levels of adult β-globin expression during erythroid ontogeny. EKLF is required for integrity of the chromatin structure at the β-like globin locus, and it interacts with a positive-acting factor in vivo. We find that EKLF is an acetylated transcription factor, and that it interacts in vivo with CBP, p300, and P/CAF. However, its interactions with these histone acetyltransferases are not equivalent, as CBP and p300, but not P/CAF, utilize EKLF as a substrate for in vitro acetylation within its trans-activation region. The functional effects of these interactions are that CBP and p300, but not P/CAF, enhance EKLF’s transcriptional activation of the β-globin promoter in erythroid cells. These results establish EKLF as a tissue-specific transcription factor that undergoes post-translational acetylation and suggest a mechanism by which EKLF is able to alter chromatin structure and induce β-globin expression within the β-like globin cluster.