UTX

Synonyms

KABUK2 ; KDM6A ; Lysine (K)-specific demethylase 6A; Ubiquitously transcribed tetratricopeptide repeat, X chromosome

Definition

UTX/KDM6A is a gene located on the X chromosome (Xp11.2) and one of a limited number of genes on the X chromosome that escapes X inactivation in females. The encoded protein is a histone demethylase, i.e., catalyzes the demethylation of di- and trimethylated histone H3. This protein contains a C-terminal catalytic domain, called the Jumonji (JmjC) domain, and an N-terminal domain that contains tetratricopeptide repeats (TPRs) for protein–protein interactions.

Characteristics

Introduction: Chromatin Structure and Epigenetic Modifications

DNA is packed into chromatin in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. The basic constituent of the chromatin is the nucleosome, which is comprised of 147 base pairs of DNA wound around an octamer of core histone proteins. Posttranslational covalent modifications of the N-terminal tails of histone proteins include...