Researchers have investigated the impact of a specific chemical modification on a protein known as a histone, which plays a role in packaging the genome, on gene activity and cell proliferation.
In a study titled “Drosophila melanogaster Set8 and L(3)mbt function in gene expression independently of histone H4 lysine 20 methylation,” published in Genes & Development, researchers explored how this chemical modification influences biological processes.
The study revealed that when enzymes responsible for adding a specific chemical modification to histones, or proteins that bind to these modifications, are removed, it disrupts gene activity and cell proliferation. Surprisingly, these disruptions are not directly caused by the chemical modification itself, counter to existing theories in the field.
Co-author and biology professor Bob Duronio commented, “Our research enhances our comprehension of genetic regulation mechanisms. This insight is valuable for developing treatments for conditions like cancer, which stem from abnormalities in gene regulation and cell proliferation, by targeting pathways and processes controlled by Set8, independent of histone modifications.”
The researchers initially sought to determine the significance of a specific histone chemical modification, added by an enzyme called Set8, on gene expression and cell growth, as hypothesized in previous studies.
Contrary to expectations, the study revealed that Set8 influences gene activity and cell proliferation through a mechanism other than the chemical modification of histone proteins. Consequently, this foundational research has advanced our understanding of genetic regulation, particularly in the context of diseases such as cancer.
Unlike previous approaches, the researchers employed a novel genetic technique developed through collaboration at UNC-Chapel Hill to explore the role of histone modifications independently of enzymes like Set8.
These innovative research methods can unveil additional functions of histone-modifying enzymes by shifting the focus from histone chemical modifications to the broader activities of the enzymes, offering fresh insights into gene regulation processes.
