Polycomb proteins

Function

Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are determinants of gene silencing and epigenetic memory in higher eukaryotes. The PcG system consists of multimeric repressive protein complexes containing chromatin modifying activities which regulate transcription by modulating chromatin structures. The PcG proteins regulate pathways in cell differentiation, tissue regeneration and cancer cell growth^[1].

Disease

Misregulation of PcG protein levels often lead to either a block or unscheduled activation of developmental pathways. the consequences of this misregulation have been linked to the establishment of cancer stem cells which can produce tumors. Cancer stem cells are believed to persist within tumors and to elicit relapse and metastasis^[2]

Structural highlights