Fig. 1

Schematic representation of UHRF1 structure and its role in the regulation of epigenetic code. Abbreviation: UBL (ubiquitin-like) domain, TTD (Tandem Tudor Domain), PHD (Plant Homeo Domain) domain, SRA (Set and Ring Associated) domain and RING (Really Interesting New Gene) domain. RING domain has an E3 ligase activity involved in UHRF1 autoubiquitination. UHRF1 is protected from this process by its interaction with herpes virus-associated ubiquitin-specific protease (HAUSP). Through its SRA domain, UHRF1 recognizes hemi-methylated DNA during DNA replication and interacts with DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1). UHRF1 can also interact with DNMT1 via its PHD domain. Both PHD and TTD are involved in the readout of histone methylation that are catalysed by histone methyltransferases G9a and Suv39H1. The UBL domain could be involved in the proteasome pathway