Covalent histone lysine modification has been linked to various DNA functions. PHF8 is a jumonji family demethylase containing a PHD domain, linked to methylated histone binding, and also to X-linked mental retardation. PHF8 is now shown to bind H3K4me3 and demethylate H3K9me1/2, a function linked here to activation of rRNA transcription.
- Weijun Feng
- Masato Yonezawa
- Ingrid Grummt