Effector Domains

Effector domains are catalytic or regulatory protein modules that perform specific molecular functions when recruited to target sites. In epigenome editing, they're fused to DNA-binding scaffolds to install or remove chemical marks on DNA and histones. Activator domains like VP64 recruit transcription factors, while enzymes like DNMT3A add methyl groups to cytosine bases.

NameClassOrigin
DNMT3A Domain DNA Methyltransferase Human DNA methyltransferase 3A (catalytic domain)
GCN4 Domain Peptide Scaffold Yeast GCN4 transcription factor (epitope array)
KRAB Domain Transcriptional Repressor Human KOX1 protein (Krüppel-associated box domain)
p300 Core Domain Histone Acetyltransferase Human p300 protein (catalytic core domain)
p65 Domain Transcriptional Activator Human NF-κB p65 subunit (activation domain)
Rta Domain Transcriptional Activator Epstein-Barr virus (transactivator protein)
TET1 Domain DNA Demethylase Human ten-eleven translocation 1 (catalytic domain)
VP64 Domain Transcriptional Activator Herpes simplex virus VP16 (tetrameric repeat)
VPR Composite Domain Transcriptional Activator (Composite) Synthetic fusion of VP64, p65, and Rta