UTX and UTY demonstrate histone demethylase-independent function in mouse embryonic development.

ABSTRACT: UTX (KDM6A) and UTY are homologous X and Y chromosome members of the Histone H3 Lysine 27 (H3K27) demethylase gene family. UTX can demethylate H3K27; however, in vitro assays suggest that human UTY has lost enzymatic activity due to sequence divergence. We produced mouse mutations in both Utx and Uty. Homozygous Utx mutant female embryos are mid-gestational lethal with defects in neural tube, yolk sac, and cardiac development. We demonstrate that mouse UTY is devoid of in vivo demethylase activity, so hemizygous X(Utx-) Y(+) mutant male embryos should phenocopy homozygous X(Utx-) X(Utx-) females. However, X(Utx-) Y(+) mutant male embryos develop to term; although runted, approximately 25% survive postnatally reaching adulthood. Hemizygous X(+) Y(Uty-) mutant males are viable. In contrast,

SUBMITTER: Shpargel KB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3459986 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature