High impact information on Suv39h2

• Taken together, the results indicate epigenetic regulation of telomere length in mammals by Suv39h1 and Suv39h2 [1].
• Immunolocalization of Suv39h2 protein during spermatogenesis indicates enriched distribution at the heterochromatin from the leptotene to the round spermatid stage [2].
• Notably, although both Suv39h loci display overlapping expression profiles during mouse embryogenesis, Suv39h2 transcripts remain specifically expressed in adult testes [2].
• Moreover, Suv39h2 specifically accumulates with chromatin of the sex chromosomes (XY body) which undergo transcriptional silencing during the first meiotic prophase [2].
• Using fluorescent in situ hybridization and haplotype analysis, the Suv39h2 locus was mapped to the subcentromeric region of mouse chromosome 2, whereas the Suv39h1 locus resides at the tip of the mouse X chromosome [2].

Anatomical context of Suv39h2

• These data are consistent with redundant enzymatic roles for Suv39h1 and Suv39h2 during mouse development and suggest an additional function of the Suv39h2 HMTase in organizing meiotic heterochromatin that may even impart an epigenetic imprint to the male germ line [2].

References