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Review
. 2017 Mar 4;12(3):177-186.
doi: 10.1080/15592294.2017.1281502. Epub 2017 Jan 20.

A drive in SUVs: From development to disease

Vinay Kumar Rao  1 , Ananya Pal  1 , Reshma Taneja  1
Affiliations
Review

A drive in SUVs: From development to disease

Vinay Kumar Rao et al. Epigenetics. .

Abstract

Progression of cells through distinct phases of the cell cycle, and transition into out-of-cycling states, such as terminal differentiation and senescence, is accompanied by specific patterns of gene expression. These cell fate decisions are mediated not only by distinct transcription factors, but also chromatin modifiers that establish heritable epigenetic patterns. Lysine methyltransferases (KMTs) that mediate methylation marks on histone and non-histone proteins are now recognized as important regulators of gene expression in cycling and non-cycling cells. Among these, the SUV39 sub-family of KMTs, which includes SUV39H1, SUV39H2, G9a, GLP, SETDB1, and SETDB2, play a prominent role. In this review, we discuss their biochemical properties, sub-cellular localization and function in cell cycle, differentiation programs, and cellular senescence. We also discuss their aberrant expression in cancers, which exhibit de-regulation of cell cycle and differentiation.

Keywords: Cancer; cell cycle; chromatin modifiers; differentiation; gene regulation; heterochromatin; histones; methylation.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
SUV39 KMTs in cycling and non-cycling cells. In cycling cells, SUV39H1, G9a, and SETDB1 are required for chromosomal segregation and cell division during mitosis and meiosis. While SUV39H1 inhibits proliferation, G9a and SETDB1 promote proliferation (G1/S transition) of cells. In non-cycling states, all 3 KMTs inhibit myogenic and adipogenic differentiation but differentially regulate senescence.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Regulation of cellular differentiation by SUV39 KMTs. G9a associates with both activator as well as repressor complexes in proliferating myoblasts and pre-adipocytes. SUV39H1 and SETDB1 are mainly involved in repression of myogenic and adipogenic genes. In differentiating myotubes SUV39H1 represses E2F1 target genes and ensures permanent cell cycle exit. The transcription factors that recruit SETDB1 in myoblasts and pre-adipocytes and G9a in pre-adipocytes have yet to be identified.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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