Description
ATRX is a member of the Snf2 family of helicase/ATPases, which contribute to the remodeling of the nucelosome structure in an ATP-dependent manner, and facilitate the initiation of transcription and replication. Structurally, it contains a PHD zinc finger motif. ATRX is regulated throughout the cell cycle where it is differentially distributed within the nucleus. During interphase, it predominately associates with the nuclear matrix, while during mitosis, ATRX localizes with condensed chromatin. At the onset of M phase, phosphorylation rapidly induces this redistribution of ATRX to the short arms of human acrocentric chromosomes, where it then specifically complexes with heterochromatin protein 1 α to mediate chromosomal segregation. Mutations in the gene correlate with a high incidence of severe X-linked form of syndromal mental retardation associated with alpha-thalassemia or ATRX syndrome