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Molecular toggle switch of histone demethylase LSD1
Jaehoon Shin1, Guo-Li Ming2, Hongjun Song2
1Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Molecular Cell
|March 22, 2015
Summary
A specific form of LSD1 (LSD1+8a) acts in a complex to remove H3K9me1/2 marks. This epigenetic modification is vital for activating genes during mammalian neurogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) is a key epigenetic regulator.
- Specific isoforms of LSD1 may have distinct functions.
- Histone methylation marks, such as H3K9me1/2, play critical roles in gene regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of a neuron-enriched isoform of LSD1 (LSD1+8a).
- To determine the enzymatic activity and biological significance of the LSD1+8a/SVIL complex.
Main Methods:
- Biochemical assays to assess demethylation activity.
- Analysis of histone modification patterns.
- Studies on gene expression during neurogenesis.
Main Results:
- The neuron-enriched LSD1+8a isoform, as part of a SVIL-containing complex, displays specific H3K9me1/2 demethylation activity.
- This demethylation activity is essential for the activation of specific genes.
- The process is crucial for successful mammalian neurogenesis.
Conclusions:
- LSD1+8a is a critical epigenetic regulator in neuronal development.
- Specific histone demethylation by LSD1+8a controls gene activation during neurogenesis.
- The findings highlight the specialized roles of LSD1 isoforms in cellular differentiation.
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