Structural and Functional Dissection of the MLL1 Histone Methyltransferase Complex

Abstract

The mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) proteins regulate an array of developmental and differentiation processes. Similar to other members of the SET1 family, association of MLL1-4 with Ash2L, RbBP5 and WDR5, collectively termed the MLL core complex, is required for MLL mediated histone H3 Lys-4 di/tri-methylation. Each member of the core complex has a unique role in modulating the activity of MLL1. WDR5 is key in nucleating the formation of the core complex by acting as a structural scaffold, whereas Ash2L and RbBP5 are responsible for stimulating MLL methyltransferase activity. Currently, the structural and biochemical mechanisms utilized by the core complex to regulate MLL1 activity are unknown. Through structural and biochemical dissection of the core complex we have assigned specific functions to core complex subunits and have identified the minimal structural requirements for methyltransferase activity. Furthermore, through structure based drug design, we have identified a peptidomimetic inhibitor of MLL1 methyltransferase activity.