title: Current perspectives on histone demethylases.
abstract: The posttranslational modification of histones plays an important role in chromatin regulation. Histone methylation influences constitutive heterochromatin, genomic imprinting, X-chromosome inactivation and gene transcription. Histone demethylase catalyzes the removal of methyl groups on lysine or arginine residues of histones. Two kinds of histone lysine demethylases have been identified, including lysine specific demethylase 1 and Jumonji C (JmjC) domain family proteins. These histone demethylases are involved in the regulation of gene expression. Histone modification is a dynamic process, and the imbalance of histone methylation has been linked to cancers. Therefore, histone demethylases may represent a new target for anti-cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai 200001, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoqing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Jingyuan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006207:Half-Life; D056466:Histone Demethylases; D000076983:Histone Methyltransferases; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008239:Lysine / Q000378:metabolism; D010089:Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating / Q000378:metabolism; D011496:Protein Methyltransferases; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D013379:Substrate Specificity
chemical_list: D006657:Histones; D056466:Histone Demethylases; C504076:KDM1a protein, mouse; C495195:KDM1A protein, human; D010089:Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating; D000076983:Histone Methyltransferases; D011496:Protein Methyltransferases; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase; D008239:Lysine