Diverse ways to be specific: a novel Zn-binding domain confers substrate specificity to UTX/KDM6A histone H3 Lys 27 demethylase

Genes Dev. 2011 Nov 1;25(21):2223-6. doi: 10.1101/gad.179473.111.

Abstract

Histone methylations are highly regulated by site-specific histone methyltransferases and demethylases. In this issue of Genes & Development, Sengoku and Yokoyama (pp. 2266-2277) demonstrate that a novel Zn-binding domain and the Jumonji domain of UTX/KDM6A (Lys demethylase 6A) recognize histone H3 and together function as a substrate specificity determinant for H3K27 demethylation. This study demonstrates the mechanism of site-specific demethylation by UTX/KDM6A and implicates that histone demethylases use diverse methods to accomplish target specificity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Histone Demethylases / metabolism*
  • Histones / chemistry*
  • Histones / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Histones
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Histone Demethylases
  • KDM6A protein, human