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Chromatin modifying enzymes, and other chromatin-modifying proteins, fall into three broad categories: writers, readers and erasers. The function of these proteins is to dynamically maintain cell identity and regulate processes such as differentiation, development, proliferation and genome integrity via recognition of specific 'marks' (covalent post-translational modifications) on histone proteins and DNA [7]. In normal cells, tissues and organs, precise co-ordination of these proteins ensures expression of only those genes required to specify phenotype or which are required at specific times, for specific functions. Chromatin modifications allow DNA modifications not coded by the DNA sequence to be passed on through the genome and underlies heritable phenomena such as X chromosome inactivation, aging, heterochromatin formation, reprogramming, and gene silencing (epigenetic control).
To date at least eight distinct types of modifications are found on histones. These include small covalent modifications such as acetylation, methylation, and phosphorylation, the attachment of larger modifiers such as ubiquitination or sumoylation, and ADP ribosylation, proline isomerization and deimination. Chromatin modifications and the functions they regulate in cells are reviewed by Kouzarides (2007) [7].
Writer proteins include the histone methyltransferases, histone acetyltransferases, some kinases and ubiquitin ligases.
Readers include proteins which contain methyl-lysine-recognition motifs such as bromodomains, chromodomains, tudor domains, PHD zinc fingers, PWWP domains and MBT domains.
Erasers include the histone demethylases and histone deacetylases (HDACs and sirtuins).
Dysregulated epigenetic control can be associated with human diseases such as cancer [3], where a wide variety of cellular and protein abberations are known to perturb chromatin structure, gene transcription and ultimately cellular pathways [1,8]. Due to the reversible nature of epigenetic modifications, chromatin regulators are very tractable targets for drug discovery and the development of novel therapeutics. Indeed, small molecule inhibitors of writers (e.g. azacitidine and decitabine target the DNA methyltransferases DNMT1 and DNMT3 for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes [5,10]) and erasers (e.g. the HDAC inhibitors vorinostat, romidepsin and belinostat for the treatment of T-cell lymphomas [4,6]) are already being used in the clinic. The search for the next generation of compounds with improved specificity against chromatin-associated proteins is an area of intense basic and clinical research [2]. Current progress in this field is reviewed by Simó-Riudalbas and Esteller (2015) [9].
Database page citation:
Chromatin modifying enzymes. Accessed on 11/12/2024. IUPHAR/BPS Guide to PHARMACOLOGY, http://www.guidetopharmacology.org/GRAC/FamilyDisplayForward?familyId=865.
Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY citation:
Alexander SPH, Fabbro D, Kelly E, Mathie A, Peters JA, Veale EL, Armstrong JF, Faccenda E, Harding SD, Pawson AJ, Sharman JL, Southan C, Davies JA; CGTP Collaborators. (2019) The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2019/20: Enzymes. Br J Pharmacol. 176 Issue S1: S297-S396.