Research Advances of Histone Demethylase UTX
LIU Chong1, HUANG Yixue2, HUANG Kun2, YUAN Yangmian1, ZHOU Yihao1, ZHENG Ling1*
UTX is a histone demethylase containing TPR (tetratricopeptide repeat) domains and a JmjC catalytic domain, which is responsible for the removal of di- and tri-methyl groups from H3K27 (lysine 27 residue of histone H3). Mechanistically, UTX downregulates the levels of H3K27me2/3 on the promoter or enhancer of the target genes through its demethylase activity. Furthermore, UTX binds MLL3/4 to regulate the H3K4 methylation, resulting in promoted genes transcription. Additionally, UTX interacts with the HAT (histone acetyltransferase) protein p300 or HDAC1 (histone deacetyltransferase 1), and thus regulates histone acetylation and affects gene transcription. UTX is emerging as an important player in cell growth, developmental process, differentiation, immunity, and metabolism, and has been linked to human diseases such as Kabuki syndrome and cancer. This review summarizes the recent research progresses of UTX, and discusses the potential of UTX as a therapeutic target in disease treatment.
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