Barrier To Autointegration Factor 1 (BANF1)

Barrier-to-autointegration factor was identified by its ability to protect retroviruses from intramolecular integration and therefore promote intermolecular integration into the host cell genome. The endogenous function of the protein is unknown.

The protein forms a homodimer which localizes to the nucleus and is specifically associated with chromosomes during mitosis. This protein binds to DNA in a non-specific manner and studies in rodents suggest that it also binds to lamina-associated polypeptide 2, a component of the nuclear lamina. It also associates with the LEM Domain containing proteins LAP2, Emerin, and MAN1.