EZH2
Ezh2 is a polycomb group protein. EZH2 is known to function in histone methylation, thereby regulating gene expression.
Ezh2-containing complex has been given an additional role in cellular regulation. Cytosolic Ezh2 methyltransferase complexes were shown to associate with Vav1 and control receptor-induced actin polymerization and proliferation in a methylation-dependent manner. Overall, lysine methylation is a posttranslational modification crucial for receptor-mediated signal transduction events.
Pathology
Overexpression of the polycomb group protein enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) has been found in several malignancies, including prostate cancer, with an aggressive phenotype. Amplification of the gene has previously been demonstrated in several malignancies.
The gene for polycomb group protein enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is amplified in late-stage prostate cancer (16575874).
- The amplification of the EZH2 gene is rare in early prostate cancer, whereas a fraction of late-stage tumors contains the gene amplification leading to the overexpression of the gene, thus indicating the importance of EZH2 in the progression of prostate cancer (16575874).
References
Saramaki OR, Tammela TL, Martikainen PM, Vessella RL, Visakorpi T. The gene for polycomb group protein enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is amplified in late-stage prostate cancer. Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 2006 Jul;45(7):639-45. PMID: 16575874
The Ezh2 methyltransferase complex: actin up in the cytosol. Trends Cell Biol. 2005 Oct;15(10):514-7. PMID: 16126384