Regulation of PRC2 by its subunits that mimic H3K27me3

In most species of fungi, plants, and animals, DNA is wrapped around proteins called histones. The Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) is an enzyme that places a particular chemical modification on the histones around genes, to prevent them from becoming active. PRC2 is mutated in various developmental disorders and cancers, which leads to improper placement of this modification. This can cause genes to be activated in contexts where they will be harmful, or inactivated in contexts where they are needed. This thesis examines the way that PRC2 regulates itself by mimicking the same modification that it places on histones.