TASOR

Core component of the HUSH complex, a multiprotein complex that specifically mediates epigenetic repression of mobile genetic elements, such as retroviruses and transposable elements. The HUSH complex represses LINE-1 (L1) retrotransposons that are still capable of transposition. Silencing events often occur within introns of transcriptionally active genes, and lead to the down-regulation of host gene expression. The HUSH complex also represses exogenous retroviruses and synthetic transgenes. The HUSH complex also represses expression of latent herpes simplex virus. Mediates silencing of unintegrated retroviral DNA following recruitment by ZNF638: some part of the retroviral DNA formed immediately after infection remains unintegrated in the host genome and is transcriptionally repressed. The HUSH complex is recruited to genomic loci rich in H3K9me3 and is required to maintain transcriptional silencing by promoting recruitment of SETDB1, a histone methyltransferase that mediates further deposition of H3K9me3, as well as MORC2, a chromatin remodeler that compacts chromatin. Within the HUSH complex, TASOR acts as the central scaffold which recruits MPHOSPH8 and PPHLN1 to mobile genetic elements and mediates association with SETDB1 and MORC2. The ability to silence mobile genetic elements plays a crucial role in early embryonic development: it is required to maintain epiblast cell fitness and cell division (By similarity)..

Function from UniProtKB (Q9UK61), read 2026-09-23. CC BY 4.0.