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Epigenetic regulator polycomb group protein complexes control cell fate and cancer
Author(s) -
Kanno Rieko,
Janakiraman Harinarayanan,
Kanno Masamoto
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
cancer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 1347-9032
DOI - 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2008.00797.x
Subject(s) - biology , epigenetics , polycomb group proteins , sumo protein , dna methylation , chromatin , homeotic gene , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , histone , gene , gene expression , repressor , ubiquitin
The chromatin‐associated Polycomb group (PcG) proteins were first identified in genetic screens for homeotic transformations in Drosophila melanogaster . Besides body patterning, members of the PcG are now known to regulate epigenetic cellular memory, stem cell self‐renewal, and cancer development. Here, we discuss the multifarious functions of the PcG family, isoforms of protein complexes, and its enzymatic activities, for example histone methylation, links to DNA methylation, its phosphorylation status, H2A mono‐ubiquitination, SUMOylation, and links to non‐coding RNA. We also discuss the function of cytosolic PcG complexes as a regulator of receptor‐induced actin polymerization and proliferation in a methylation‐dependent manner. We propose that the functional versatility of PcG protein complexes contributed significantly to the complexity of heritable gene repression mechanisms, signal transduction, and cell proliferation in cancer development. ( Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 1077–1084)