EHMT1

Euchromatic histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 1, also known as G9a-like protein (GLP), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EHMT1 gene.^[5]

Structure

EHMT1 messenger RNA is

In addition to their role as histone lysine methyltransferases (HMTs), several studies have shown that G9A/GLP are also able to methylate a wide range of non-histone proteins.[13] However, as most of the reported methylation sites have been derived from mass spectrometry analyses, the function of many of these modifications remain unknown. Nevertheless, increasing evidence suggests methylation of non-histone proteins may influence protein stability, protein-protein interactions and regulate cellular signalling pathways.^{[14][13][15][16]} For example, G9A/GLP can methylate a number of transcription factors to regulate their transcriptional activity, including MyoD,^[17] C/EBP,^[16] Reptin,^[15] p53,^[18] MEF2D,^[19] MEF2C^[20] and MTA1.^[21] Furthermore, G9A/GLP are able to methylate non-histone proteins to regulate complexes which recruit DNA methyltransferases to gene promoters to repress transcription via the methylation of CpG islands.^[22][23] Therefore, G9A and/or GLP have wide-ranging roles in development,^[20][17] establishing and maintaining cell identity,^[17][24] cell cycle regulation,^[18] and cellular responses to environmental stimuli,^[15]  which are dependent on their non-histone protein methyltransferase activity.

Clinical significance

Defects in this gene are a cause of chromosome 9q

Dysregulation of EHMT1 has been implicated in inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases.[25]^[26][27][28]

References