PHD Finger Protein 5A (PHF5A)

PHF5A encodes a subunit of the splicing factor 3b protein complex. Splicing factor 3b, together with splicing factor 3a and a 12S RNA unit, forms the U2 small nuclear ribonucleoproteins complex. The splicing factor 3b/3a complex binds pre-mRNA upstream of the intron's branch site in a sequence-independent manner and may anchor the U2 snRNP to the pre-mRNA. The protein encoded by this gene contains a PHD-finger-like domain that is flanked by highly basic N- and C-termini. This protein belongs to the PHD-finger superfamily and may act as a chromatin-associated protein. This gene has several pseudogenes on different chromosomes. Phf5a, is expressed ubiquitously in pre- and postnatal murine tissues and encodes a protein of 110 amino acids. The protein is localized in the nucleus in a non-homogenous pattern as the nucleolar subcompartment is almost free of Phf5a.