Targeting epigenetic modifiers: Inhibitors of histone methyltransferases

Abstract

The term epigenetics is defined as inheritable changes that influence the outcome of a phenotype without changes in the genome. Epigenetics is based upon DNA methylation and posttranslational histone modifications. While there is much known about reversible acetylation as a posttranslational modification, research on histone methylation is still emerging, especially with regard to drug discovery. As aberrant epigenetic modifications have been linked to many diseases, inhibitors of histone methylation are very much in demand. This article gives an outline on the different histone methyltransferases, their involvement in disease, the available inhibitors and their potential as drugs.