SETting the clock for histone H4 monomethylation

Abstract

In this and a previous issue of Molecular Cell, Oda et al. (2010), Abbas et al. (2010), and Centore et al. (2010) determined that the H4K20 histone methyltransferase PR-Set7/Set8 is posttranslationally regulated by the PCNA-dependent CRL4(Cdt2) ubiquitin ligase.

Figure 1

PR-Set7 is targeted for ubiquitination by the PCNA-dependent CRL4^Cdt2 ubiquitin ligase. A. Schematic representation of CRL^Cdt2-dependent ubiquitination of PR-Set7 orchestrated by chromatin-bound PCNA. B. Post-translational regulation of PR-Set7 stability during the cell cycle and in response to DNA damage. Multiple ubiquitin ligases have been indicated in regulating PR-Set7 levels to limit H4K20 monomethylation and allow for orderly cell cycle progression. PR-Set7 is degraded by PCNA-dependent CRL^Cdt2 in response to DNA damage following H4K20 monomethylation and recruitment of 53BP1. We thank Jianxuan Zhang for assistance with preparation of this figure.