The potential roles of EZH2 in regenerative medicine

Cell Transplant. 2015;24(3):313-7. doi: 10.3727/096368915X686823. Epub 2015 Feb 2.

Abstract

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a catalytic component of polycomb repressive complex 2, serves as a histone methyltransferase toward histone H3K27 trimethylation and also recruits DNA methyltransferases to regulate gene expression and chromatin structure. Accumulating evidence indicates the critical roles of EZH2 in stem cell maintenance and cell fate decision in differentiation into specific cell lineages. In this article, we review the updated progress in the field and the potential application of EZH2 in regenerative medicine including nervous system, muscle, pancreas, and dental pulp regeneration.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • Dental Pulp / physiology
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Islets of Langerhans / physiology
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 / genetics
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 / metabolism*
  • RNA Interference
  • Regeneration
  • Regenerative Medicine*

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • Histones
  • EZH2 protein, human
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 2