Lysine-Specific Demethylase Epigenetically Regulates Human and Plant Phenomena

Abstract

Histone methylation in eukaryotes is one of the key posttranslational modifications in epigenetic regulation. Human lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), which demethylates not only histone H3 lysines 4 and 9 but also non-histone proteins, is involved in the regulation of developmental processes. LSD1 also acts as an oncogene to promote cancer cell proliferation. Arabidopsis thaliana has four LSD homologs, which are involved in flowering, root development, circadian rhythm, DNA damage, pathogen resistance and shoot regeneration. Here, we summarize the roles of LSD family members in various biological processes.