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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
11:33
Investigating Interactions Between Histone Modifying Enzymes and Transcription Factors in vivo by Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
Published on: October 14, 2022
Arabidopsis Histone Lysine Methyltransferases
Frédéric Pontvianne1, Todd Blevins, Craig S Pikaard
1Department of Biology, Indiana University, 915 E. Third Street, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA.
Advances in Botanical Research
|August 13, 2010
Summary
Histone lysine methyltransferases (HKMTs) regulate gene expression and genome integrity in plants by modifying chromatin. This review details HKMT classes in Arabidopsis thaliana and their functions.
Area of Science:
- Plant molecular biology
- Epigenetics
- Genomics
Background:
- Chromatin structure regulates gene access and transposable element repression in eukaryotes.
- DNA methylation and histone modifications are key to plant chromatin states and gene expression.
- Histone lysine methyltransferases (HKMTs) establish or maintain euchromatic (active) or heterochromatic (repressed) states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the classes of HKMTs in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.
- To discuss the known biochemical and biological functions of plant HKMTs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of HKMTs in Arabidopsis thaliana.
- Analysis of biochemical and biological functions of HKMTs.
Main Results:
- HKMTs are crucial for regulating gene expression and maintaining genome stability.
- Mutations in Arabidopsis HKMT genes lead to developmental abnormalities.
- The SET domain is responsible for the enzymatic activity of most HKMTs.
Conclusions:
- HKMTs are essential regulators of gene expression and development in plants.
- Understanding plant HKMTs provides insights into epigenetic regulation and genome integrity.
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