HIRA

Protein HIRA is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HIRA gene. This gene is mapped to 22q11.21, centromeric to COMT.

Function
The specific function of this protein has yet to be determined; however, it has been speculated to play a role in transcriptional regulation and/or chromatin and histone metabolism.

Research done by Salomé Adam, Sophie E. Polo, and Geneviève Almouzni indicate that HIRA proteins are involved in restarting transcription after UVC damage. Function of HIRA gene can be effectively examined by siRNA knockdown based on an independent validation.

Clinical significance
It is considered the primary candidate gene in some haploinsufficiency syndromes such as DiGeorge syndrome, and insufficient production of the gene may disrupt normal embryonic development.

Interactions
HIRA has been shown to interact with HIST1H2BK.