KDM8

KDM8 (also known as Jumonji domain-containing protein 8) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KDM8 gene. This protein is a member of the Jumonji C (JmjC) domain-containing protein family, which are known to have histone demethylase activity.

Function

KDM8 is a histone demethylase that specifically demethylates 'Lys-36' of histone H3, thereby playing a central role in histone code. It preferentially demethylates dimethylated H3 'Lys-36' residue while it has weak or no activity for mono- and trimethylated H3 'Lys-36'. It may also serve as a scaffold to recruit various proteins to gene promoters.

Clinical significance

Alterations in the function of KDM8 have been implicated in several cancer types. For example, overexpression of KDM8 has been observed in breast cancer and lung cancer, and it has been suggested that KDM8 could serve as a potential therapeutic target for these cancers.

See also

• Histone demethylase
• Jumonji C (JmjC) domain-containing proteins
• Histone code