Polycomb group (PcG) protein. Catalytic subunit of the PRC2/EED-EZH2 complex, which methylates 'Lys-9' and 'Lys-27' of histone H3, leading to transcriptional repression of the affected target gene. Able to mono-, di- and trimethylate 'Lys-27' of histone H3 to form H3K27me1, H3K27me2 and H3K27me3, respectively. Compared to EZH2-containing complexes, it is more abundant in embryonic stem cells and plays a major role in forming H3K27me3, which is required for embryonic stem cell identity and proper differentiation. The PRC2/EED-EZH2 complex may also serve as a recruiting platform for DNA methyltransferases, thereby linking two epigenetic repression systems. Genes repressed by the PRC2/EED-EZH2 complex include HOXA7, HOXB6 and HOXC8.
Specificity
Natural and recombinant Mouse Histone-lysine N-methyltransferase EZH2
Subcellular Location
Nucleus Chromosome Localizes to the inactive X chromosome in trophoblast stem cells.
Component of the PRC2/EED-EZH2 complex, which includes EED, EZH2, SUZ12, RBBP4 and RBBP7 and possibly AEBP2 (By similarity). The minimum components required for methyltransferase activity of the PRC2/EED-EZH2 complex are EED, EZH2 and SUZ12 (By similarity). The PRC2 complex may also interact with DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B and PHF1 via the EZH2 subunit and with SIRT1 via the SUZ12 subunit (By similarity). Interacts with HDAC1 and HDAC2 (By similarity). Binds ATRX via the SET domain (By similarity). Interacts with PRAME (By similarity). Interacts with EED.