The mechanism of activation requires the assistance of a group of proteins called transcriptional coactivators. CARM1 works in a complex with other coactivator proteins that interact with the nuclear receptors. CARM1 can methylate specific proteins, including specific histones. Mutations that eliminate the methyltransferase activity also eliminate CARM1's coactivator activity. Dr. Stallcup's lab has developed CARM1-based methods for enhancing or inhibiting the ability of nuclear expression of their target genes.
Advantages There are many different mechanisms for controlling gene expression.
This discovery therefore provides a new and different method for experimentally or therapeutically modulating gene expression, by modulation the activity of CARM1 or other protein methyltransferases. Also, because protein methylation has never before been demonstrated as a mechanism for gene regulation, there are substantial opportunities for developing applications for CARM1 through further research. There are two general types of applications for this invention. Coactivators are currently one of the hottest topics of basic biomedical research, and there is a market for coactivator-based products. As the prototype for a new type of coactivator, CARM1-based products will be popular research tools.