PHD: Distinct from the Royal family is the PHD finger, a well-characterized reader of H3K4me3. It contains a C4HC3 motif that coordinates two zinc ions in a cross-brace manner. Such an arrangement produces a globular domain with a small β-sheet and an α-helix. PHD fingers make extensive contacts with H3K4me3, imparting a high degree of specificity. (1)
Reference
1. Musselman CA, Lalonde ME, Cote J, Kutateladze TG.Perceiving the epigenetic landscape through histone readers. Nat Struct Mol Biol.2012;19(12):1218-27. PMID: 23211769.
Tudor: Tudor can exist as a single domain or in tandem, containing two β-barrels. The single Tudor domains of PHF1 and PHF19 have been shown to recognize H3K36me3, whereas the canonical TTD of 53BP1 associates with H4K20me2, and the hybrid TTD of JMJD2A binds H3K4me3 and H4K20me3. (1)
Reference
1. Musselman CA, Lalonde ME, Cote J, Kutateladze TG.Perceiving the epigenetic landscape through histone readers. Nat Struct Mol Biol.2012;19(12):1218-27. PMID: 23211769.
WD40: The WD40 domain of EED binds trimethylated lysines through an aromatic cage positioned at the top of the channel of a seven-bladed β-propeller. It is fairly promiscuous and interacts with H3K27me3, H3K9me3, H4K20me3 and H1K26me3. The structure of the EED WD40 in complex with H3K27me3 reveals an important role for the residues flanking K27me3. (1)
Reference
1. Musselman CA, Lalonde ME, Cote J, Kutateladze TG.Perceiving the epigenetic landscape through histone readers. Nat Struct Mol Biol.2012;19(12):1218-27. PMID: 23211769.
