Bifaceted functions of histone methyltransferases

In this perspective, Akhtar et al provide a brief overview of Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) and SET and MYND-domain containing 3 (SMYD3) as histone methyltransferases that function both as activators and repressors of gene transcription in cancer. The importance of deciphering the mechanisms underlying this bifaceted function toward thoughtful pharmacologic interventions is underlined and protein or mRNA degradation are highlighted as the most biologically rational pharmaceutical platforms to target these bifaceted histone methyltransferases.