A dimeric viral SET domain methyltransferase specific to Lys27 of histone H3.
Manzur, K.L., Farooq, A., Zeng, L., Plotnikova, O., Koch, A.W., Sachchidanand, Zhou, M.-M.(2003) Nat Struct Biol 10: 187-196
- PubMed: 12567185 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nsb898
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
1N3J - PubMed Abstract: 
Site-specific lysine methylation of histones by SET domains is a hallmark for epigenetic control of gene transcription in eukaryotic organisms. Here we report that a SET domain protein from Paramecium bursaria chlorella virus can specifically di-methylate Lys27 in histone H3, a modification implicated in gene silencing. The solution structure of the viral SET domain reveals a butterfly-shaped head-to-head symmetric dimer different from other known protein methyltransferases. Each subunit consists of a Greek-key antiparallel beta-barrel and a three-stranded open-faced sandwich that mediates the dimer interface. Cofactor S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) binds at the opening of the beta-barrel, and amino acids C-terminal to Lys27 in H3 and in the flexible C-terminal tail of the enzyme confer the specificity of this viral histone methyltransferase.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Structural Biology Program, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York University, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York 10029, USA.