EZH2 variants derived from cryptic splice sites govern distinct epigenetic patterns during embryonic development.

ABSTRACT: EZH2 catalyzes H3K27me3 and is essential for embryonic development. Although multiple EZH2 variants have been identified, the functional implications and physiological significance of its heterogeneity remain unclear. Here, we revealed that conserved cryptic splice sites generated two EZH2 variants with (EZH2A) or without (EZH2B) a 27-nt region, coding for a 9-aa segment. Structural modeling showed that splice-in or splice-off of the 9-aa segment caused a topological change in EZH2 structure. The 9-aa surplus in EZH2A strengthened its interaction with other PRC2 components, particularly in PRC2.2 holocomplex. We developed point-mutation mouse lines specifically depleting EZH2A or EZH2B (Ezh2amut or Ezh2bmut). Biallelic deletion of Ezh2a caused developmental defects and embryonic lethality

SUBMITTER: Guo N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12418382 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature