Trithorax Group (TrxG) proteins are a heterogeneous collection of proteins whose main action is to maintain gene expression. They can be categorized into 3 general classes based on molecular function:
Contents
- histone-modifying TrxG proteins
- chromatin-remodeling TrxG proteins
- DNA-binding TrxG proteins,
plus other TrxG proteins not categorized in the first three classes.
Discovery
The founding member of TrxG Proteins, trithorax (trx), was discovered ~1978 by P.W. Ingham as part of his doctoral thesis while a graduate student in the laboratory of J.R.S. Whittle at the University of Sussex. Myeloid/lymphoid or mixed-lineage Leukemia (MLL) is the human homolog of trx.
The table contains names of Drosophila TrxG members. Homologs in other species may have different names.
Function
Trithorax Group (TrxG) proteins typically function in large complexes formed with other proteins. The complexes formed by TrxG proteins are divided into 2 groups: Histone-modifying complexes and ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling complexes. The main function of TrxG proteins, along with polycomb group (PcG) proteins, is regulating gene expression. Whereas, PcG proteins are typically associated with gene silencing, TrxG proteins are most commonly linked to gene activation. The Trithorax complex activates gene transcription by inducing trimethylation of lysine 4 of histone H3 (H3K4me3) at specific sites in chromatin recognized by the complex. This gene activation is reinforced by acetylation of histone H4. The actions of TrxG proteins are often described as 'antagonistic' of PcG proteins function. Aside from gene regulation, evidence suggests TrxG proteins are also involved in other processes including apoptosis, cancer, and stress responses.
Role in development
During development, TrxG proteins maintain activation of required genes, particularly the Hox genes, after maternal factors are depleted. This is accomplished by preserving the epigenetic marks, specifically H3K4me3, established by maternally-supplied factors. TrxG proteins are also implicated in X-chromosome inactivation, which occurs during early embryogenesis. As of 2011 it is unclear whether TrxG activity is required in every cell during the entire development of an organism or only during certain stages in certain cell types.