Fig. 4: The mechanisms of histone methylation.

A Each of the histones H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 has two molecules in the histone core particle. Histones are highly conserved proteins with flexible N- and C-terminal domains as well as a conserved globular domain. B Histones combine with DNA to form nucleosomes, which then assemble into chromatin in eukaryotic cells. Most histones have globular cores, with flexible “tails” extending from their N-termini. C Histone methylation is regulated by HMTs such as SUV39H1, DOT1L, EZH2 and HDMs such as LSD1 and JMJD. Several studies have explored the association between the biological processes during CDs and corresponding HMTs and HDMs. (Figure was created with BioRender.com).