title: Characterization of a novel WHSC1-associated SET domain protein with H3K4 and H3K27 methyltransferase activity.
abstract: Evolutionary conserved SET domains were originally identified in three Drosophila proteins: suppressor of variegation (Su (var) 3-9), enhancer of zeste (E(z)), and the trithorax. Some of the SET-domain containing proteins have been known to elicit methylation of histone lysine residues. Based on a search for SET-domain containing proteins using bioinformatic tools, we identified and subsequently named a novel SET domain as WHISTLE, that has histone methyltransferase (HMTase) activity. To characterize WHISTLE, we performed an HMTase assay, mass spectrometric analysis, lysine specificity, and transfection assays. Mass spectrometric and immunoblot analysis revealed that WHISTLE di-methylates H3K4 and di-, and tri-methylates H3K27 of histones. Overexpression of WHISTLE repressed transcription of the SV40 promoter. Our results suggest that WHISTLE is a novel SET domain containing a protein with specific H3K4 and H3K27 HMTase activity.
authors: Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 156-756, South Korea.
authors: Sung Mi
authors: SM
authors: Kim
authors: Hae Jin
authors: HJ
authors: Kee
authors: Gwang Hyeon
authors: GH
authors: Eom
authors: Nak Won
authors: NW
authors: Choe
authors: Ji Young
authors: JY
authors: Kim
authors: Young Soo
authors: YS
authors: Kim
authors: Seong Ki
authors: SK
authors: Kim
authors: Hoon
authors: H
authors: Kook
authors: Hyun
authors: H
authors: Kook
authors: Sang Beom
authors: SB
authors: Seo