Role of H3K4 monomethylation in gene regulation

Curr Opin Genet Dev. 2024 Feb;84:102153. doi: 10.1016/j.gde.2024.102153. Epub 2024 Jan 26.ABSTRACTMethylation of histone H3 on the lysine-4 residue (H3K4me) is found throughout the eukaryotic domain, and its initial discovery as a conserved epigenetic mark of active transcription from yeast to mammalian cells has contributed to the histone code hypothesis. However, recent studies have raised questions on whether the different forms of H3K4me play a direct role in gene regulation or are simply by-products of the transcription process. Here, we review the often-conflicting experimental evidence, focusing on the monomethylation of lysine 4 on histone H3 that has been linked to the transcriptional state of enhancers in metazoans. We suggest that this epigenetic mark acts in a context-dependent manner to directly facilitate the transcriptional output of the genome and the establishment of cellular identity.PMID:38278054 | DOI:10.1016/j.gde.2024.102153

Source: Current Opinion in Genetics and Development - January 26, 2024 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Zhaoning Wang Bing Ren Source Type: research