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Disorders of histone methylation: Molecular basis and clinical syndromes

  • University of Sharjah
  • Hamad Medical Corporation
  • Technical University of Munich
  • King Abdulaziz Medical City
  • KidsHeart Medical Center

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

Epigenetic modifications of DNA and histone tails are essential for gene expression regulation. They play an essential role in neurodevelopment as nervous system development is a complex process requiring a dynamic pattern of gene expression. Histone methylation is one of the vital epigenetic regulators and mostly occurs on lysine residues of histones H3 and H4. Histone methylation is catalyzed by two sets of enzymes: histone lysine methyltransferases (KMTs) and histone lysine demethylases (KDMs). KMT2 enzymes form a distinct multi-subunit complex known as COMPASS to enhance their catalytic activity and diversify their biologic functions. Several neurodevelopmental syndromes result from defects in histone methylation which can be caused by deficiencies in histone methyltransferases and demethylases, loss of the histone methyltransferase activator TASP1, or derangements in COMPASS formation. In this review article, the molecular mechanism of histone methylation is discussed followed by summarizing clinical syndromes caused by monogenic defects in histone methylation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)169-181
Number of pages13
JournalClinical Genetics
Volume102
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2022

Keywords

  • COMPASS
  • epigenetics
  • histone demethylases
  • histone methylation
  • histone methyltransferases
  • neurodevelopmental disorders

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