PHD Finger Protein 13 (PHF13), also known as SPOC1 (Survival time-associated PHD finger protein in ovarian cancer 1), is a member of the plant homeodomain (PHD) finger protein family. These proteins are characterized by the presence of a PHD finger, a specialized zinc finger domain that recognizes and binds to specific histone modifications, playing a crucial role in chromatin remodeling and transcriptional regulation .
PHF13 contains a PHD finger domain that allows it to interact with histone tails, particularly recognizing unmodified or methylated lysines on histone H3 . This interaction is essential for its role as an “epigenome reader,” mediating the activation or repression of underlying genes . The protein is required for normal chromosome condensation during the early stages of mitosis and for proper chromosome separation during mitosis .
PHF13 is involved in various cellular processes, including:
Recombinant human PHF13 protein is produced using recombinant DNA technology. It is typically expressed in E. coli and purified using conventional chromatography techniques . The recombinant protein often includes an N-terminal His-tag to facilitate purification and detection. This recombinant form is used in various research applications to study the protein’s function and interactions.
Recombinant PHF13 is valuable in research for: