Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 18, 2026

Extraction of Histones from Clinical Specimens for Epigenetic Profiling by Mass Spectrometry
10:54

Extraction of Histones from Clinical Specimens for Epigenetic Profiling by Mass Spectrometry

Published on: November 21, 2025

834

Critical roles of non-histone protein lysine methylation in human tumorigenesis

Ryuji Hamamoto1, Vassiliki Saloura1, Yusuke Nakamura1

  • 1Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 2115 Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.

Nature Reviews. Cancer
|January 24, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Protein lysine methylation and demethylation are crucial in cancer. This review highlights how these enzymes regulate non-histone proteins, offering new therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Protein lysine methylation is a key epigenetic modification.
  • Dysregulation of lysine methyltransferases and demethylases is implicated in various diseases, notably cancer.
  • These enzymes are emerging as significant therapeutic targets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular functions of protein lysine methylation.
  • To explore the role of protein lysine methylation in human cancer.
  • To emphasize the regulation of non-histone protein methylation in tumorigenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on protein lysine methylation.
  • Analysis of the roles of methyltransferases and demethylases.
  • Focus on non-histone protein targets.

Main Results:

  • Lysine methylation regulates critical cellular processes.
  • Aberrant methylation of non-histone proteins like p53, RB1, and STAT3 contributes to cancer development.
  • These enzymes offer potential for targeted cancer therapies.

Conclusions:

  • Protein lysine methylation is vital in cancer biology.
  • Targeting lysine methylation of non-histone proteins presents a promising avenue for cancer treatment.
  • Further research into these enzymes could lead to novel therapeutic strategies.

More Related Videos

Isolation and Cultivation of Neural Progenitors Followed by Chromatin-Immunoprecipitation of Histone 3 Lysine 79 Dimethylation Mark10:09

Isolation and Cultivation of Neural Progenitors Followed by Chromatin-Immunoprecipitation of Histone 3 Lysine 79 Dimethylation Mark

Published on: January 26, 2018

8.0K
Site-Specific Lysine Lactylation via Genetic Code Expansion in E. coli and Mammalian Cells05:58

Site-Specific Lysine Lactylation via Genetic Code Expansion in E. coli and Mammalian Cells

Published on: February 24, 2026

450

Related Concept Videos

Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
4.3K
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
34.6K
Histone Modification02:32

Histone Modification

The histone proteins have a flexible N-terminal tail extending out from the nucleosome. These histone tails are often subjected to post-translational modifications such as acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Particular combinations of these modifications form “histone codes” that influence the chromatin folding and tissue-specific gene expression.
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone...
18.0K
Histone Modification02:32

Histone Modification

5.0K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
5.5K
Covalently Linked Protein Regulators02:04

Covalently Linked Protein Regulators

Proteins can undergo many types of post-translational modifications, often in response to changes in their environment. These modifications play an important role in the function and stability of these proteins. Covalently linked molecules include functional groups, such as methyl, acetyl, and phosphate groups, and also small proteins, such as ubiquitin. There are around 200 different types of covalent regulators that have been identified.
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein....
10.0K