A Subset of the Histone H3 Lysine 9 Methyltransferases Suv39h1, G9a, GLP, and SETDB1 Participate in a Multimeric Complex

Lysine 9 of histone 3 (H3K9) can be mono-, di-, or trimethylated, inducing distinct effects on gene expression and chromatin compaction. H3K9 methylation can be mediated by several histone methyltransferases (HKMTs) that possess mono-, di-, or trimethylation activities. Here we provide evidence that a subset of each of the main H3K9 HKMTs, G9a/KMT1C, GLP/KMT1D, SETDB1/KMT1E, and Suv39h1/KMT1A, coexist in the same megacomplex. Moreover, in Suv39h or G9a null cells, the remaining HKMTs are destabilized at the protein level, indicating that the integrity of these HKMTs is interdependent. The four HKMTs are recruited to major satellite repeats, a known Suv39h1 genomic target, but also to multiple G9a target genes. Moreover, we report a functional cooperation between the four H3K9 HKMTs in the regulation of known G9a target genes. Altogether, our data identify a H3K9 methylation multimeric complex. ► Four H3K9 HKMTs (G9a, GLP, SETDB1, and Suv39h1) interact to form a megacomplex ► Deletion of either Suv39h or G9a destabilizes the other HKMTs at the protein level ► The H3K9 HKMTs are recruited to major satellite repeats, known Suv39h1 target loci ► The four HKMTs are recruited to multiple G9a target genes