A multifaceted role for MOF histone modifying factor in genome maintenance

•MOF acetylates lysine 16 of histone H4 (H4K16ac) and plays a role in transcription and the DNA damage response.•MOF interacts with a range of proteins that extend its potential significance well beyond transcription and DNA damage repair.•MOF affects ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia mutated) function and ATM-dependent MOF post-translational modification regulates DNA DSB pathway choice.•MOF is essential for embryonic development as well as post-mitotic and non-dividing cell survival.•MOF is critical for stem cell-renewal and pluripotency.