Guiding the HBO1 complex function through the JADE subunit

JADE is a core subunit of the HBO1 acetyltransferase complex that regulates developmental and epigenetic programs and promotes gene transcription. Here we describe the mechanism by which JADE facilitates recruitment of the HBO1 complex to chromatin and mediates its enzymatic activity. Structural, genomic and complex assembly in vivo studies show that the PZP (PHD1–zinc-knuckle–PHD2) domain of JADE engages the nucleosome through binding to histone H3 and DNA and is necessary for the association with chromatin targets. Recognition of unmethylated H3K4 by PZP directs enzymatic activity of the complex toward histone H4 acetylation, whereas H3K4 hypermethylation alters histone substrate selectivity. We demonstrate that PZP contributes to leukemogenesis, augmenting transforming activity of the NUP98–JADE2 fusion. Our findings highlight biological consequences and the impact of the intact JADE subunit on genomic recruitment, enzymatic function and pathological activity of the HBO1 complex. JADE is a subunit of human acetyltransferase complex HBO1 that is essential in transcriptional regulation. Gaurav et al. characterize the molecular mechanism by which JADE mediates genomic association and enzymatic and pathological activities of the HBO1 complex.