Polycomb protein EED

Polycomb protein EED is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EED gene. This protein is a member of the Polycomb-group (PcG) family of proteins, which are involved in maintaining the repressed state of genes over multiple cell generations. EED plays a critical role in the regulation of gene expression, developmental processes, and is implicated in the epigenetic control mechanisms that are essential for cell differentiation and embryonic development.

Function

EED is a core component of the Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), which is responsible for catalyzing the methylation of histone H3 on lysine 27 (H3K27me3), a key epigenetic mark associated with gene repression. Through its interaction with other members of the PRC2 complex, such as EZH2, SUZ12, and RBBP4, EED contributes to the transcriptional silencing of genes involved in various cellular pathways, including those regulating stem cell pluripotency, cell proliferation, and X-chromosome inactivation.

Structure

The EED protein contains several WD40 repeats, which are responsible for its protein-protein interactions. These repeats form a propeller-like structure that can bind to multiple partners, facilitating the assembly of the PRC2 complex and mediating its interaction with chromatin.

Clinical Significance

Alterations in the expression or function of EED have been linked to a variety of human diseases. Overexpression or mutations in the EED gene are associated with different forms of cancer, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, and leukemia. These alterations can disrupt the normal patterns of gene expression, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and tumorigenesis. Additionally, mutations in EED have been implicated in developmental disorders, highlighting its importance in normal growth and development.

Research

Research on EED and its associated complexes continues to be a significant area of interest, particularly in the fields of epigenetics and cancer biology. Studies aim to understand the detailed mechanisms by which EED and the PRC2 complex regulate gene expression and contribute to disease states. There is also interest in developing therapeutic strategies that target these epigenetic regulators to treat cancers and other diseases associated with dysregulation of the PRC2 complex.