EZH2 as an Epigenetic Regulator of Cardiovascular Development and Diseases

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2021 Aug 1;78(2):192-201. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0000000000001062.

Abstract

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2(EZH2) is an enzymatic subunit of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) and is responsible for catalyzing mono-, di-, and trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine-27(H3K27me1/2/3). Many noncoding RNAs or signaling pathways are involved in EZH2 functional alterations. This new epigenetic regulation of target genes is able to silence downstream gene expression and modify physiological and pathological processes in heart development, cardiomyocyte regeneration, and cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertrophy, ischemic heart diseases, atherosclerosis, and cardiac fibrosis. Targeting the function of EZH2 could be a potential therapeutic approach for cardiovascular diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / genetics
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / metabolism*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / pathology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein / genetics
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein / metabolism*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Heart / growth & development*
  • Heart / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Morphogenesis
  • Myocardium / metabolism*
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • EZH2 protein, human
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein