Noncanonical Functions of the Polycomb Group Protein EZH2 in Breast Cancer

Am J Pathol. 2021 May;191(5):774-783. doi: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2021.01.013. Epub 2021 Feb 6.

Abstract

Enhancer of Zeste Homologue 2 (EZH2) is the catalytic subunit of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) that is critical for determining cell identity. An epigenetic writer, EZH2 has a well-defined role in transcriptional repression by depositing trimethyl marks on lysine 27 of histone H3. However, there is mounting evidence that histone methyltransferases like EZH2 exert histone methyltransferase-independent functions. The relevance of these functions to breast cancer progression and their regulatory mechanisms are only beginning to become understood. Here, we review the current understanding of EZH2 H3K27me3-independent, noncanonical, functions and their regulation in breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein / genetics
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Histones / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lysine / metabolism
  • Methylation

Substances

  • Histones
  • EZH2 protein, human
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein
  • Lysine