Structural Biology of H3K9 Methyltransferases

3D Model

G9a-like protein (GLP) is a human euchromatic histone methyltransferase that specifically mono-methylates lysine 9 of histone 3 (H3K9). The H3K9 peptide lies in a groove formed by the I-SET and Post-SET and is contacted via its backbone and side chains interactions.

Methylation of H3K9 (H3K9me) is associated with heterochromatin formation and gene silencing and contains various properties which creates a unique structure. H3K9me consists of the I-SET domain and post-SET domain. The I-SET domain is a rigid peptide-docking platform, while the post-SET domain is more mobile. This model (3HNA) examines the A and P chains and explores various interactions within these domains ultimately enable the methylation of H3K9

References: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008570