Predictive Functions of H3K27me3 and H4K20me3 in Primate Hippocampal Stem and Progenitor Cells

Epigenetic regulations play important roles in cell fate determination during neurogenesis, a process by which different types of neurons are generated from neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs). Although some epigenetic changes are part of developmental and aging processes, the role of tri-methylation on histone 3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) and histone 4 lysine 20 (H4K20me3) in primate hippocampal NSPCs remains elusive. This task is best assessed within a context resembling the human brain. As more studies emerge, the baboon represents an excellent model of human central nervous system in addition to their genomic similarity. With a focus on H3K27me3 and H4K20me3, the overarching goal of this work is to reveal their respective epigenetic landscapes in NSPCs of non-human primate baboon hippocampus. We identified putative targets of H3K27me3 and H4K20me3 that suggests a protective mechanism by dual H3K27me3/H4K20me3-mediated repression of specific-lineage gene activation important for differentiation processes while controlling the progression of the cell cycle.