Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers
Published on: September 20, 2018
G9a-mediated irreversible epigenetic inactivation of Oct-3/4 during early embryogenesis
Nirit Feldman1, Ariela Gerson, Jia Fang
1Department of Experimental Medicine, Hebrew University Medical School, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
Abstract:
Oct-3/4 is a POU domain homeobox gene that is expressed during gametogenesis and in early embryonic cells, where it has been shown to be important for maintaining pluripotency. Following implantation, this gene undergoes a novel multi-step programme of inactivation. Transcriptional repression is followed by a pronounced increase in histone H3 methylation on Lys 9 that is mediated by the SET-containing protein, G9a. This step sets the stage for local heterochromatinization via the binding of HP1 and is required for subsequent de novo methylation at the promoter by the enzymes Dnmt3a/3b. Genetic studies show that these epigenetic changes actually have an important role in the inhibition of Oct-3/4 re-expression, thereby preventing reprogramming.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Epigenetic Regulation
X-chromosome...
Epigenetic Regulation
Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
Eukaryotic Transcription Inhibitors
Eukaryotic transcription inhibitors usually contain two distinct domains, a DNA...
Inheritance of Chromatin Structures
In-vitro Mutagenesis

