Ezh2 controls B cell development through histone H3 methylation and Igh rearrangement

Abstract

Polycomb group protein Ezh2 is an essential epigenetic regulator of embryonic development in mice, but its role in the adult organism is unknown. High expression of Ezh2 in developing murine lymphocytes suggests Ezh2 involvement in lymphopoiesis. Using Cre-mediated conditional mutagenesis, we demonstrated a critical role for Ezh2 in early B cell development and rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene (Igh). We also revealed Ezh2 as a key regulator of histone H3 methylation in early B cell progenitors. Our data suggest Ezh2-dependent histone H3 methylation as a novel regulatory mechanism controlling Igh rearrangement during early murine B cell development.