Histone methylation
- EED, a member of the polycomb group, is required for nephron differentiation and the maintenance of nephron progenitor cells
Summary: Conditional inactivation of the polycomb gene Eed in nephron progenitor cells results in their premature loss and prevents normal nephron differentiation beyond the S-shaped tubule stage.
- Setd1b, encoding a histone 3 lysine 4 methyltransferase, is a maternal effect gene required for the oogenic gene expression program
Highlighted article: Oocyte-specific knockout of Setd1b in mouse disrupts the zona pellucida, metabolic processes and zygote morphology, identifying Setd1b as a key regulator of oocyte development.
- The methyltransferase Setdb1 is essential for meiosis and mitosis in mouse oocytes and early embryos
Highlighted article: The H3K9 methyltransferase Setdb1 is required during mouse oogenesis to control gene expression, restrain expression of endogenous retroviruses and enable successful progression through meiosis and mitosis.
- Chromatin condensation of Xist genomic loci during oogenesis in mice
Summary: The analysis of chromatin state and H3K9me3 levels in mouse oocytes and early embryos provides insights into the dynamics of Xist repression and activation during early development and reprogramming.