Measure Histone Methyltransferase or Demethylase Activity/Inhibition
Histone methylation acts in both epigenetic gene activation and silencing. This dynamic and reversible process involves the transmission of methyl groups to histone proteins and is regulated by particular methyltransferase and demethylase enzymes. These enzymes are highly specific for substrate location and methylation degree. Quickly investigate histone methyltransferases (HMTs) or demethylases with our convenient ELISA-like assays that directly measure HMT or histone demethylase activity or inhibition levels from nuclear extracts of purified enzymes.
Schematic procedure for the EpiQuik Histone Methyltransferase Activity/Inhibition Assay Kit (H3K4) (Cat# P-3002).
About Histone Methyltransferase
Histone methyltransferases (HMTs) are a class of enzymes responsible for adding methyl groups to histone proteins. HMTs are primarily known to serve as gene silencers, methylating specific residues on histones. Alterations in the activation and expression of HMTs have been associated with various types of diseases, including many cancers, making them ideal candidates to study for potential drug therapies.
About Histone Demethylase
Histone demethylases are enzymes that can remove methyl groups from modified histones, justifying that histone methylation is not a permanent modification, as previously believed, but more of a dynamic process. Studies have shown that some demethylases are transcription regulators that can control gene expression by demethylating histones. Alterations and aberrant expression of histone demethylases appear to play a role in disease development, notably cancer. Studying the activity of these enzymes could help unravel the pathogenesis of various diseases and lead to possible treatment methods.