protein
Histone-lysine N-methyltransferase SETD2
Gene
SETD2
Organism
Homo sapiens(9606)
Length
2564 aa
Mass
287,597 Da
# SETD2 Protein Summary
SETD2 is a histone-lysine N-methyltransferase that catalyzes trimethylation of lysine-36 on histone H3 (H3K36me3), a key epigenetic mark for transcriptional activation (UniProt: Q9BYW2). The enzyme plays multiple regulatory roles in chromatin structure, DNA mismatch repair, and double-strand break repair through homologous recombination. Beyond histones, SETD2 also methylates non-histone proteins including alpha-tubulins and STAT1, functions required for normal mitosis and antiviral defense responses.
SETD2 is broadly expressed and implicated in multiple biological processes including angiogenesis, endoderm development, and interferon-stimulated gene activation (UniProt: Q9BYW2). The protein acts as a tumor suppressor, with mutations associated with renal cell carcinoma, acute leukemias (lymphoblastic and myelogenous), and developmental disorders.
SETD2 carries SFARI classification as a syndromic ASD-associated gene (SFARI Cat 2). Disease associations include Luscan-Lumish syndrome and Rabin-Pappas syndrome—both neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder—as well as intellectual developmental disorder autosomal dominant 70, reflecting its critical role in brain development and function (UniProt: Q9BYW2).
Generated from the curated entity record below. May contain errors — verify against source links.
Genetic Evidence · ASD
Strong candidate — functional studies support ASD association
Source: SFARI Gene database · gene.sfari.org
Related Publications
Browse all →Inherited and De Novo Genetic Risk for Autism Impacts Shared Networks.
Ruzzo Elizabeth K et al.Cell2019PMID 31398340Inherited and multiple de novo mutations in autism/developmental delay risk genes suggest a multifactorial model.
Guo Hui et al.Molecular autism2018PMID 30564305Whole genome sequencing resource identifies 18 new candidate genes for autism spectrum disorder.
C Yuen Ryan K et al.Nature neuroscience2017PMID 28263302Identification of common genetic risk variants for autism spectrum disorder.
Grove Jakob et al.Nature genetics2019PMID 30804558Synaptic, transcriptional and chromatin genes disrupted in autism.
De Rubeis Silvia et al.Nature2014PMID 25363760
Function
Histone methyltransferase that specifically trimethylates 'Lys-36' of histone H3 (H3K36me3) using dimethylated 'Lys-36' (H3K36me2) as substrate (PubMed:16118227, PubMed:19141475, PubMed:21526191, PubMed:21792193, PubMed:23043551, PubMed:27474439). It is capable of trimethylating unmethylated H3K36 (H3K36me0) in vitro (PubMed:19332550). Represents the main enzyme generating H3K36me3, a specific tag for epigenetic transcriptional activation (By similarity). Plays a role in chromatin structure modulation during elongation by coordinating recruitment of the FACT complex and by interacting with hyperphosphorylated POLR2A (PubMed:23325844). Acts as a key regulator of DNA mismatch repair in G1 and early S phase by generating H3K36me3, a mark required to recruit MSH6 subunit of the MutS alpha complex: early recruitment of the MutS alpha complex to chromatin to be replicated allows a quick identification of mismatch DNA to initiate the mismatch repair reaction (PubMed:23622243). Required for DNA double-strand break repair in response to DNA damage: acts by mediating formation of H3K36me3, promoting recruitment of RAD51 and DNA repair via homologous recombination (HR) (PubMed:24843002). Acts as a tumor suppressor (PubMed:24509477). H3K36me3 also plays an essential role in the maintenance of a heterochromatic state, by recruiting DNA methyltransferase DNMT3A (PubMed:27317772). H3K36me3 is also enhanced in intron-containing genes, suggesting that SETD2 recruitment is enhanced by splicing and that splicing is coupled to recruitment of elongating RNA polymerase (PubMed:21792193). Required during angiogenesis (By similarity). Required for endoderm development by promoting embryonic stem cell differentiation toward endoderm: acts by mediating formation of H3K36me3 in distal promoter regions of FGFR3, leading to regulate transcription initiation of FGFR3 (By similarity). In addition to histones, also mediates methylation of other proteins, such as tubulins and STAT1 (PubMed:27518565, PubMed:28753426). Trimethylates 'Lys-40' of alpha-tubulins such as TUBA1B (alpha-TubK40me3); alpha-TubK40me3 is required for normal mitosis and cytokinesis and may be a specific tag in cytoskeletal remodeling (PubMed:27518565). Involved in interferon-alpha-induced antiviral defense by mediating both monomethylation of STAT1 at 'Lys-525' and catalyzing H3K36me3 on promoters of some interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) to activate gene transcription (PubMed:28753426)
(Microbial infection) Recruited to the promoters of adenovirus 12 E1A gene in case of infection, possibly leading to regulate its expression
Disease associations
Renal cell carcinomaRCC
Renal cell carcinoma is a heterogeneous group of sporadic or hereditary carcinoma derived from cells of the proximal renal tubular epithelium. It is subclassified into clear cell renal carcinoma (non-papillary carcinoma), papillary renal cell carcinoma, chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, collecting duct carcinoma with medullary carcinoma of the kidney, and unclassified renal cell carcinoma. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma is the most common subtype.
Luscan-Lumish syndromeLLS
An autosomal dominant syndrome with a variable phenotype. Clinical features include macrocephaly, distinctive facial appearance, postnatal overgrowth, various degrees of learning difficulties, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disability.
Leukemia, acute lymphoblasticALL
A subtype of acute leukemia, a cancer of the white blood cells. ALL is a malignant disease of bone marrow and the most common malignancy diagnosed in children. The malignant cells are lymphoid precursor cells (lymphoblasts) that are arrested in an early stage of development. The lymphoblasts replace the normal marrow elements, resulting in a marked decrease in the production of normal blood cells. Consequently, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia occur to varying degrees. The lymphoblasts also proliferate in organs other than the marrow, particularly the liver, spleen, and lymphnodes.
Leukemia, acute myelogenousAML
A subtype of acute leukemia, a cancer of the white blood cells. AML is a malignant disease of bone marrow characterized by maturational arrest of hematopoietic precursors at an early stage of development. Clonal expansion of myeloid blasts occurs in bone marrow, blood, and other tissue. Myelogenous leukemias develop from changes in cells that normally produce neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils and monocytes.
Intellectual developmental disorder, autosomal dominant 70MRD70
An autosomal dominant disorder characterized by mild global developmental delay, moderately impaired intellectual disability with speech difficulties, and behavioral abnormalities.
Rabin-Pappas syndromeRAPAS
An autosomal dominant neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by severely impaired global development, intellectual disability, microcephaly, facial dysmorphism, and variable congenital anomalies affecting the skeletal, genitourinary, cardiac, and other organ systems.
Sources
Last updated 5/6/2026, 5:23:51 AM