Histone Mark Decoded: Key to Gene Regulation in Cancer and Anti-Cancer Drug Development

The research team chemically synthesizes an intact nucleosome with an upgraded tri-functional “hook” and H3K79me2 as the “bait.” Using this new technology, the team successfully identified a protein called menin as the “reader” of H3K79me2. Courtesy of Xiang David Li Research Group

A research team from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has deconstructed the process by which genetic information in human DNA is “read,” revealing how the wrong “reading” can lead to developmental defects and various cancers, bringing hope to the development of new anti-cancer drugs. The results have been published in the journal Science.

All types of cells in the human body have almost identical DNA sequence, known as genes. When making a particular type of cell, such as a stem cell or neuron, each cell carefully “chooses” which genes to express. Gene expression is regulated by various histone protein modifications, and errors in this process can lead to serious diseases such as cancer.