Chromatin reader component of the NuA4 histone acetyltransferase complex, a multiprotein complex involved in transcriptional activation of select genes principally by acetylation of nucleosomal histones H4 and H2A (PubMed:27153538, PubMed:32209463). The NuA4 complex plays a direct role in repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by promoting homologous recombination (HR) (PubMed:27153538). MBTD1 specifically recognizes and binds monomethylated and dimethylated 'Lys-20' on histone H4 (H4K20me1 and H4K20me2, respectively) (PubMed:19841675, PubMed:27153538, PubMed:32209463). In the NuA4 complex, MBTD1 promotes recruitment of the complex to H4K20me marks by competing with TP53BP1 for binding to H4K20me (PubMed:27153538). Following recruitment to H4K20me at DNA breaks, the NuA4 complex catalyzes acetylation of 'Lys-15' on histone H2A (H2AK15), blocking the ubiquitination mark required for TP53BP1 localization at DNA breaks, thereby promoting homologous recombination (HR) (PubMed:27153538). Monomer (PubMed:19841675). Component of the NuA4 histone acetyltransferase complex (PubMed:27153538, PubMed:32209463). Interacts with EPC1; interaction is direct and promotes recruitment of MBTD1 into the NuA4 histone acetyltransferase complex (PubMed:32209463). A chromosomal aberration involving MBTD1 is a cause of acute poorly differentiated myeloid leukemia. Translocation (10;17)(p15;q21) with ZMYND11. May be produced at very low levels due to a premature stop codon in the mRNA, leading to nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. Wrong choice of frame.