Minireview: role of protein methylation and demethylation in nuclear hormone signaling

Mol Endocrinol. 2009 Sep;23(9):1323-34. doi: 10.1210/me.2009-0131. Epub 2009 Apr 30.

Abstract

Nuclear hormone receptors (NRs) are transcription factors responsible for mediating the biological effects of hormones during development, metabolism, and homeostasis. Induction of NR target genes is accomplished through the assembly of hormone-bound NR complexes at target promoters and coincides with changes in histone modifications that promote transcription. Some coactivators and corepressors of NR can enhance or inhibit NR function by covalently modifying histones. One such modification is methylation, which plays important roles in transcriptional regulation. Histone methylation is catalyzed by histone methyltransferases and reversed by histone demethylases. Recent studies have uncovered the importance of these enzymes in the regulation of NR target genes. In addition to histones, these enzymes have nonhistone substrates and can methylate and demethylate NRs and coregulatory proteins in order to modulate their function. This review discusses recent progress in our understanding of the role of methylation and demethylation of histones, NRs, and their coregulators in NR-mediated transcription.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Catalysis
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Chromatin / chemistry
  • Histones / chemistry
  • Hormones / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Methylation*
  • Models, Biological
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • Histones
  • Hormones
  • Proteins
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear