Targeting Histone Lysine Demethylases by Truncating the Histone 3 Tail to Obtain Selective Substrate‐Based Inhibitors

Abstract

How low can you go? The natural substrate for the epigenetic regulators PHF8, JmjD2A, and JmjD2C (lysine demethylases), a peptide consisting of 39 amino acid residues, can be truncated to 14, 8, and 4 amino acids, respectively, while maintaining catalytic activity (see picture). Inhibitors were prepared by attaching small molecules to the truncated substrates. Selective inhibition of JmjD2C over JmjD2A and PHF8 was possible.