CBP/p300 acetyltransferase activity in hematologic malignancies

CREB binding protein (CBP) and p300 are critical regulators of hematopoiesis through both their transcriptional coactivator and acetyltransferase activities. Loss or mutation of CBP/p300 results in hematologic deficiencies in proliferation and differentiation as well as disruption of hematopoietic stem cell renewal and the microenvironment. Aberrant lysine acetylation mediated by CBP/p300 has recently been implicated in the genesis of multiple hematologic cancers. Understanding the effects of disrupting the acetyltransferase activity of CBP/p300 could pave the way for new therapeutic approaches to treat patients with these diseases. •CBP/p300 has protein lysine acetyltransferase activity that is regulated by cell cycle progression and phosphorylation.•CBP/p300 acetylate transcription factors that are critical for hematopoietic stem cell function.•Aberrant acetylation of non-histone substrates by CBP/p300 can facilitate their oncogenic potential.•Targeted therapy against CBP/p300 KAT activity may be an effective therapeutic strategy for hematopoietic malignancies.