New publication in "Life"
SUV39H1 and SUV39H2 were the first protein lysine methyltransferases that were identified more than 20 years ago. Both enzymes introduce di- and trimethylation at histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) and have important roles in the maintenance of heterochromatin and gene repression, but they are also active in the methlyation of non-histone proteins. In this review in LIFE, we summarize our knowledge regarding structure, function and mechanism of both enzymes, and describe their physiological functions as well roles in diseases processes.