The function of KAT2A (lysine acetyltransferase 2A, Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000108773) is as follows. Protein lysine acyltransferase that catalyzes acetylation of histone and non-histone proteins using acetyl-CoA (PubMed:16753578, PubMed:17301242, PubMed:21131905, PubMed:22465951, PubMed:23142079, PubMed:27796307, PubMed:29174768, PubMed:31527837, PubMed:35995428, PubMed:38128537, PubMed:27377381, PubMed:29211711, PubMed:37040526, PubMed:39561764). Also catalyzes acyl-CoA-dependent acylation of lysine residues in proteins using alternative acyl-CoA donors, including propionyl-CoA, butyryl-CoA, succinyl-CoA, glutaryl-CoA, crotonyl-CoA and lactoyl-CoA (PubMed:31542297, PubMed:29211711, PubMed:37040526, PubMed:39561764). Acts as a histone lysine succinyltransferase: catalyzes succinylation of histone H3 on 'Lys-79' (H3K79succ), with a maximum frequency around the transcription start sites of genes (PubMed:29211711). Succinylation of histones gives a specific tag for epigenetic transcription activation (PubMed:29211711). Association with the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex, which provides succinyl-CoA, is required for histone succinylation (PubMed:29211711). In different complexes, functions either as an acetyltransferase (HAT) or as a succinyltransferase: in the SAGA and ATAC complexes, acts as a histone acetyltransferase (PubMed:17301242, PubMed:19103755, PubMed:29211711). Has significant histone acetyltransferase activity with core histones, but not with nucleosome core particles (PubMed:17301242, PubMed:19103755, PubMed:21131905). Has a a strong preference for acetylation of H3 at 'Lys-9' (H3K9ac) (PubMed:21131905). Also catalyzes acetylation of histone H1.4 (H1-4) at 'Lys-34' (H1.4K34ac), a modification enriched at promoters of active genes (PubMed:22465951). Acetylation of histones gives a specific tag for epigenetic transcription activation (PubMed:17301242, PubMed:19103755, PubMed:29211711). Recruited by the XPC complex at promoters, where it specifically mediates acetylation of histone variant H2A.Z.1/H2A.Z, thereby promoting expression of target genes (PubMed:29973595, PubMed:31527837). Involved in long-term memory consolidation and synaptic plasticity: acts by promoting expression of a hippocampal gene expression network linked to neuroactive receptor signaling (By similarity). Acts as a positive regulator of T-cell activation: upon TCR stimulation, recruited to the IL2 promoter following interaction with NFATC2 and catalyzes acetylation of histone H3 at 'Lys-9' (H3K9ac), leading to promote IL2 expression (By similarity). Required for growth and differentiation of craniofacial cartilage and bone by regulating acetylation of histone H3 at 'Lys-9' (H3K9ac) (By similarity). Regulates embryonic stem cell (ESC) pluripotency and differentiation (By similarity). Also acetylates non-histone proteins, such as CEBPB, MRE11, PPARGC1A, PLK4 and TBX5 (PubMed:16753578, PubMed:17301242, PubMed:27796307, PubMed:29174768, PubMed:38128537). Involved in heart and limb development by mediating acetylation of TBX5, acetylation regulating nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of TBX5 (PubMed:29174768). Acts as a negative regulator of centrosome amplification by mediating acetylation of PLK4 (PubMed:27796307). Acts as a negative regulator of gluconeogenesis by mediating acetylation and subsequent inactivation of PPARGC1A (PubMed:16753578, PubMed:23142079). Also acts as a histone glutaryltransferase: catalyzes glutarylation of histone H4 on 'Lys-91' (H4K91glu), a mark that destabilizes nucleosomes by promoting dissociation of the H2A-H2B dimers from nucleosomes (PubMed:31542297). Catalyzes histone H3 lactylation at 'Lys-14' and 'Lys-18' in a lactyl-CoA-dependent manner (PubMed:39561764). Lactyl-CoA for this reaction can be generated by ACSS2 (PubMed:39561764). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:Q9JHD2, ECO:0000269|PubMed:16753578, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17301242, ECO:0000269|PubMed:19103755, ECO:0000269|PubMed:21131905, ECO:0000269|PubMed:22465951, ECO:0000269|PubMed:23142079, ECO:0000269|PubMed:27377381, ECO:0000269|PubMed:27796307, ECO:0000269|PubMed:29174768, ECO:0000269|PubMed:29211711, ECO:0000269|PubMed:29973595, ECO:0000269|PubMed:31527837, ECO:0000269|PubMed:31542297, ECO:0000269|PubMed:35995428, ECO:0000269|PubMed:37040526, ECO:0000269|PubMed:38128537, ECO:0000269|PubMed:39561764}. (Microbial infection) In case of HIV-1 infection, it is recruited by the viral protein Tat. Regulates Tat's transactivating activity and may help inducing chromatin remodeling of proviral genes. .