X-linked H3K27me3 demethylase Utx is required for embryonic development in a sex-specific manner.

ABSTRACT: Embryogenesis requires the timely and coordinated activation of developmental regulators. It has been suggested that the recently discovered class of histone demethylases (UTX and JMJD3) that specifically target the repressive H3K27me3 modification play an important role in the activation of "bivalent" genes in response to specific developmental cues. To determine the requirements for UTX in pluripotency and development, we have generated Utx-null ES cells and mutant mice. The loss of UTX had a profound effect during embryogenesis. Utx-null embryos had reduced somite counts, neural tube closure defects and heart malformation that presented between E9.5 and E13.5. Unexpectedly, homozygous mutant female embryos were more severely affected than hemizygous mutant male embryos. In fact, we obse

SUBMITTER: Welstead GG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3420177 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature