Disrupted intricacy of histone H3K4 methylation in neurodevelopmental disorders

CN Vallianatos, S Iwase - Epigenomics, 2015 - Future Medicine
CN Vallianatos, S Iwase
Epigenomics, 2015Future Medicine
Methylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me) is an intricately regulated posttranslational
modification, which is broadly associated with enhancers and promoters of actively
transcribed genomic loci. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing have identified a
number of H3K4me regulators mutated in neurodevelopmental disorders including
intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and schizophrenia. Here, we aim to
summarize the molecular function of H3K4me-regulating enzymes in brain development and …
Methylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me) is an intricately regulated posttranslational modification, which is broadly associated with enhancers and promoters of actively transcribed genomic loci. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing have identified a number of H3K4me regulators mutated in neurodevelopmental disorders including intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and schizophrenia. Here, we aim to summarize the molecular function of H3K4me-regulating enzymes in brain development and function. We describe four H3K4me methyltransferases (KMT2A, KMT2C, KMT2D, KMT2F), four demethylases (KDM1A, KDM5A, KDM5B, KDM5C), and two reader proteins (PHF21A, PHF8) mutated in neurodevelopmental disorders. Understanding the role of these chromatin regulators in the development and maintenance of neural connections will advance therapeutic opportunities for prevention and treatment of these lifelong neurodevelopmental disorders.
Future Medicine