PRMT1

PRMT1 gene encodes for the protein arginine methyltransferase that functions as a histone methyltransferase specific for histone H4 in eukaryotic cells. Specifically altering histone H4 in eukaryotes gives it the ability to remodel chromatin acting as a post-translational modifier.

Through regulation of gene expression, arginine methyltransferases control the cell cycle and death of eukaryotic cells.

While all PRMT enzymes catalyze the methylation of arginine residues in proteins, PRMT1 is unique in that is catalyzes the formation of asymmetric dimethylarginine as opposed to the PRMT2 that catalyzes the formation of symmetric dimethylarginine. Individual PRMT utilize S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) as the methyl donor and catalyze methyl group transfer to the ω-nitrogen of an arginine residue.

In humans, these enzymes regulate gene expression and hence are involved in pathogenesis of many human diseases. Using enzyme inhibitors for arginine methyltransferase 1, studies were able to demonstrate the enzyme's potential as an early catalyst of various cancers.

PRMT1 has been shown to interact with:

• BTG1,
• BTG2,
• DHX9,
• FUS,
• HNRNPR,
• HNRPK,
• IFNAR1,
• ILF3,
• KHDRBS1, and
• SUPT5H.