CARM1/PRMT4: Making Its Mark beyond Its Function as a Transcriptional Coactivator

Trends Cell Biol. 2021 May;31(5):402-417. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2020.12.010. Epub 2021 Jan 20.

Abstract

Coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1), identified 20 years ago as a coregulator of transcription, is an enzyme that catalyzes arginine methylation of proteins. Beyond its well-established involvement in the regulation of transcription, the physiological functions of CARM1 are still poorly understood. However, recent studies have revealed novel roles of CARM1 in autophagy, metabolism, paraspeckles, and early development. In addition, CARM1 is emerging as an attractive therapeutic target and a drug response biomarker for certain types of cancer. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the structure of CARM1 and its post-translational modifications, its various functions, apart from transcriptional coactivation, and its involvement in cancer.

Keywords: CARM1; PRMT4; arginine-methylation; autophagy; cancer; development.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arginine / metabolism
  • Autophagy
  • Humans
  • Methylation
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases / genetics
  • Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Transcription Factors
  • Arginine
  • Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases
  • coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1