Jumonji Domain Containing 7 (JMJD7) is a protein-coding gene that belongs to the Jumonji family of proteins. These proteins are characterized by the presence of a Jumonji C (JmjC) domain, which is part of the cupin metalloenzyme superfamily. The JmjC domain is known for its role in catalyzing various biochemical reactions, including histone demethylation and hydroxylation. JMJD7 is highly conserved across species, indicating its crucial role in cellular processes.
JMJD7 is a bifunctional enzyme that acts both as an endopeptidase and a 2-oxoglutarate-dependent monooxygenase . As an endopeptidase, it cleaves histone N-terminal tails at the carboxyl side of methylated arginine or lysine residues, generating ‘tailless nucleosomes’ which may trigger transcription elongation . It preferentially recognizes and cleaves monomethylated and dimethylated arginine residues of histones H2, H3, and H4 . Additionally, JMJD7 acts as a Fe(2+) and 2-oxoglutarate-dependent monooxygenase, catalyzing (S)-stereospecific hydroxylation at C-3 of ‘Lys-22’ of DRG1 and ‘Lys-21’ of DRG2 translation factors, promoting their interaction with ribonucleic acids (RNA) .
The biological significance of JMJD7 extends beyond its enzymatic activities. It plays a role in protein biosynthesis by modifying the translation machinery . The deregulation of JMJD7 has been associated with various diseases, including myasthenic syndrome, congenital, 4B, fast-channel . Moreover, the Jumonji family of proteins, including JMJD7, has been implicated in the regulation of gene expression through histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) . These modifications are crucial for the regulation of chromatin structure and function, influencing processes such as transcription, DNA repair, and replication .
Research on JMJD7 and other Jumonji family proteins has gained significant attention due to their roles in epigenetic regulation and disease. The deregulation of Jumonji proteins has been linked to various cancers, including colon, prostate, hematological, and breast cancers . Understanding the mechanisms underlying JMJD7’s function and its role in disease can provide insights into potential therapeutic targets for cancer and other diseases associated with epigenetic deregulation .