SETD7 at the heart of chromatin factor interplay

Cardiomyocyte (CM) differentiation is a complex, highly temporally and spatially controlled process that involves coordinated gene expression executed by transcription factors. These specific programs define the specification of mesodermal and cardiac lineages as well as the functioning of mature CMs. The stage specific transitions of transcriptional programs are also associated with epigenetic changes of DNA methylation, histone acetylation and methylation providing additional levels of control. Genome-wide epigenetic mark profiling studies unequivocally demonstrated the distinct patterns associated with each of the developmental changes (1).