EHMT2
Domain
The SET domain mediates interaction with WIZ.
The ANK repeats bind H3K9me1 and H3K9me2.
In the pre-SET domain, Cys residues bind 3 zinc ions that are arranged in a triangular cluster; some of these Cys residues contribute to the binding of two zinc ions within the cluster.
Function
Histone methyltransferase that specifically mono- and dimethylates 'Lys-9' of histone H3 (H3K9me1 and H3K9me2, respectively) in euchromatin. H3K9me represents a specific tag for epigenetic transcriptional repression by recruiting HP1 proteins to methylated histones. Also mediates monomethylation of 'Lys-56' of histone H3 (H3K56me1) in G1 phase, leading to promote interaction between histone H3 and PCNA and regulating DNA replication. Also weakly methylates 'Lys-27' of histone H3 (H3K27me). Also required for DNA methylation, the histone methyltransferase activity is not required for DNA methylation, suggesting that these 2 activities function independently. Probably targeted to histone H3 by different DNA-binding proteins like E2F6, MGA, MAX and/or DP1. May also methylate histone H1. In addition to the histone methyltransferase activity, also methylates non-histone proteins: mediates dimethylation of 'Lys-373' of p53/TP53. Also methylates CDYL, WIZ, ACIN1, DNMT1, HDAC1, ERCC6, KLF12 and itself.
Post-translational modifications
Methylated at Lys-185; automethylated.
Sequence Similarities
Belongs to the class V-like SAM-binding methyltransferase superfamily. Histone-lysine methyltransferase family. Suvar3-9 subfamily.
Tissue Specificity
Expressed in all tissues examined, with high levels in fetal liver, thymus, lymph node, spleen and peripheral blood leukocytes and lower level in bone marrow.
Cellular localization
- Nucleus
- Chromosome
- Associates with euchromatic regions (PubMed:11316813). Does not associate with heterochromatin (PubMed:11316813).
Alternative names
BAT8, C6orf30, G9A, KMT1C, NG36, EHMT2, Histone-lysine N-methyltransferase EHMT2, Euchromatic histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2, HLA-B-associated transcript 8, Histone H3-K9 methyltransferase 3, Lysine N-methyltransferase 1C, Protein G9a, H3-K9-HMTase 3