TLDR Histone demethylases play a key role in the development of many diseases and may be targets for treatment.
The document from January 1, 2011, reviews the role of histone demethylases in various diseases, with a strong focus on cancer. It explains that these enzymes, which were discovered in 2004, are involved in cellular differentiation by altering histone structure and DNA methylation, thus affecting gene expression. The document details how mutations, translocations, deletions, and abnormal expression of genes encoding histone demethylases are associated with different types of human cancers, suggesting their defective control contributes to cancer pathogenesis. It specifically mentions the H3K9 demethylase GASC1 as a putative oncoprotein and the H3K27me3 demethylases JMJD3 and UTX as tumor suppressors. The document also discusses the role of histone demethylases in drug resistance, neural disorders, male infertility, obesity-related diseases, metabolic disease, congenital heart disease, and alopecia. It concludes that histone demethylases are significant in the pathogenesis of various diseases and could be potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
181 citations,
January 2009 in “Nature Genetics” Certain mutations in a hair growth-related gene cause a type of genetic hair loss.
42 citations,
July 2007 in “Journal of Biological Chemistry” Most Hairless gene mutations reduce its ability to work with the Vitamin D Receptor, which might explain a certain type of hair loss.
74 citations,
September 2006 in “Cell Cycle” The HR protein's role as a repressor is essential for controlling hair growth.
137 citations,
September 2005 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America” The HR protein helps hair grow by blocking a hair growth inhibitor, aiding in hair follicle regeneration.
182 citations,
August 2016 in “Development” ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling complexes are crucial for gene regulation, cell differentiation, and organ development in mammals.
178 citations,
May 2006 in “Developmental Dynamics” Jumonji genes are important for development and their mutations can cause abnormalities, especially in the heart and brain.
7 citations,
December 2015 in “International Journal of Dermatology” New and known mutations in the hairless gene cause a hair loss condition called Atrichia with papular lesions.
31 citations,
April 2016 in “Nature communications” Certain signals are important for reducing specific chemical markers on hair follicle stem cells during rest periods, which is necessary for healthy hair growth.
179 citations,
July 2016 in “Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology” Epigenetic changes control how adult stem cells work and can lead to diseases like cancer if they go wrong.
