title: G9a, a multipotent regulator of gene expression.
abstract: Lysine methylation of histone and non-histone substrates by the methyltransferase G9a is mostly associated with transcriptional repression. Recent studies, however, have highlighted its role as an activator of gene expression through mechanisms that are independent of its methyltransferase activity. Here we review the growing repertoire of molecular mechanisms and substrates through which G9a regulates gene expression. We also discuss emerging evidence for its wide-ranging functions in development, pluripotency, cellular differentiation and cell cycle regulation that underscore the complexity of its functions. The deregulated expression of G9a in cancers and other human pathologies suggests that it may be a viable therapeutic target in various diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Shilpa Rani
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Shankar
authors.forename: Avinash G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Bahirvani
authors.forename: Vinay Kumar
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Narendra
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bharathy
authors.forename: Jin Rong
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ow
authors.forename: Reshma
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Taneja
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016922:Cellular Senescence; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012097:Repressor Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase