articleGenes & DevelopmentJul 15, 2002DIAMOND OA

G9a histone methyltransferase plays a dominant role in euchromatic histone H3 lysine 9 methylation and is essential for early embryogenesis

Kyoto University · Osaka Prefecture University · +6 more institutions

PubMed
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Abstract

Covalent modification of histone tails is crucial for transcriptional regulation, mitotic chromosomal condensation, and heterochromatin formation. Histone H3 lysine 9 (H3-K9) methylation catalyzed by the Suv39h family proteins is essential for establishing the architecture of pericentric heterochromatin. We recently identified a mammalian histone methyltransferase (HMTase), G9a, which has strong HMTase activity towards H3-K9 in vitro. To investigate the in vivo functions of G9a, we generated G9a-deficient mice and embryonic stem (ES) cells. We found that H3-K9 methylation was drastically decreased in G9a-deficient embryos, which displayed severe growth retardation and early lethality. G9a-deficient ES cells…

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1,237
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Authors

11

Topics & keywords

Keywords
  • Biology
  • EZH2
  • Histone H3
  • Euchromatin
  • Histone methyltransferase
  • Histone methylation
  • Heterochromatin protein 1
  • Methylation
UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Good health and well-being
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