Regulation of SETD2 stability is important for the fidelity of H3K36me3 deposition

Abstract

The histone H3K36me3 mark regulates transcription elongation, pre-mRNA splicing, DNA methylation, and DNA damage repair. However, knowledge of the regulation of the enzyme SETD2, which deposits this functionally important mark, is very limited. Here we show that the poorly characterized N-terminal region of SETD2 plays a determining role in regulating the stability of SETD2. This stretch of 1-1403 amino acids contributes to the robust degradation of SETD2 by the proteasome. Besides, the SETD2 protein is aggregate-prone and forms insoluble bodies in nuclei especially upon proteasome inhibition. Removal of the N-terminal segment results in the stabilization of SETD2 and leads to a marked increase in global H3K36me3 which, uncharacteristically, happens in a Pol II-independent manner. Thus, the regulation of SETD2 levels through proteasomal mediated decay is important to maintain the fidelity of H3K36me3 deposition.