The protein encoded by this gene mediates transcriptional control by interaction with the Krüppel-associated box repression domain found in many transcription factors. The protein localizes to the nucleus and is thought to associate with specific chromatin regions. The protein is a member of the tripartite motif family. This tripartite motif includes three zinc-binding domains, a RING, a B-box type 1 and a B-box type 2, and a coiled-coil region.
KAP1 is a ubiquitously expressed protein involved in many critical functions including: transcriptional regulation, cellular differentiation and proliferation, DNA damage repair, viral suppression, and apoptosis. Its functionality is dependent upon post-translational modifications. Sumoylated TRIM28 can assemble epigenetic machinery for gene silencing, while phosphorylated TRIM28 is involved in DNA repair.