Grasping trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 4

• Published in: Epigenomics Vol. 2; no. 3; pp. 395 - 406
• Main Authors: Vermeulen, Michiel, Timmers, HT Marc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Future Medicine Ltd 01.06.2010; Taylor & Francis Group LLC
• Subjects: Chromatin; Chromatin - metabolism; chromatin modifications; DNA Methylation - physiology; DNA Polymerase II - metabolism; DNA-directed RNA polymerase; epigenetics; Gene expression; Gene Expression Regulation - physiology; Gene regulation; Grasping; Histone H3; histone methylation; Histones; Histones - metabolism; Humans; Lysine; Lysine - metabolism; Methylation; Physiological aspects; Post-translation; Promoters; Protein Processing, Post-Translational - physiology; Saccharomyces cerevisiae - metabolism; TFIID; Netherlands
• ISSN: 1750-1911; 1750-192X
• DOI: 10.2217/epi.10.11

Post-translational modifications of chromatin have become a 'booming area of biomedical research. One particularly interesting modification that is important for eukaryotic gene expression is trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3), which is almost exclusively associated with active promoters of RNA polymerase II. In this article, we highlight the recent progress related to the biochemistry and biology of this histone mark, including its relevant 'writers and 'readers . We also outline the complex regulatory mechanisms that are involved in establishing H3K4me3 in health and disease. Further understanding of H3K4me3 regulation will offer both more insight into chromatin-based mechanisms of gene regulation and provide opportunities for epigenetic intervention of the diseased state.