MBD3
MBD3 (methyl-CpG binding domain protein 3) is a nuclear protein and a subunit of the NuRD chromatin-remodelling and histone deacetylase complex. It acts as a transcriptional repressor and contributes to gene silencing, although, unlike other methyl-CpG binding domain family members, it does not bind methylated DNA by itself. Browse Assay Genie's current range of MBD3 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
MBD3 is a component of the histone deacetylase NuRD complex, which participates in the remodelling of chromatin. Within this multisubunit assembly, which combines nucleosome remodelling and histone deacetylase activities, MBD3 acts as a transcriptional repressor and plays a role in gene silencing. It recruits histone deacetylases and DNA methyltransferases, linking chromatin remodelling to the enzymes that modify histones and DNA. It also mediates the association of metastasis-associated protein 2 with the core histone deacetylase complex.
The MBD3 gene belongs to a family of nuclear proteins defined by a methyl-CpG binding domain (MBD). DNA methylation is the major modification of eukaryotic genomes and plays an essential role in mammalian development, and MBD proteins are generally associated with reading that mark. MBD3 is the exception: it does not bind methylated DNA by itself, and binds to a lesser degree DNA containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides. This distinguishes it from related family members such as MBD2. The protein localises to the nucleus and to chromosomes, and alternative splicing of the gene results in multiple transcript variants.
HGNC classifies MBD3 both within the methyl-CpG binding domain containing group and among the NuRD complex subunits, reflecting its dual identity as a member of the MBD family and a structural component of a chromatin-remodelling complex. Researchers studying MBD3 gene expression, MBD3 protein levels or MBD3 antibody-based detection typically do so in the context of epigenetic regulation and transcriptional repression.
MBD3 is a NuRD complex subunit, making it a relevant target for studying how nucleosome remodelling and histone deacetylation are coordinated.
MBD3 acts as a transcriptional repressor and contributes to gene silencing, so it is studied in mechanisms that switch gene expression off.
DNA methylation is essential in mammalian development, and MBD3 helps connect DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase recruitment to chromatin.
MBD3 mediates the association of metastasis-associated protein 2 with the core histone deacetylase complex, informing studies of complex composition.
MBD3 is a subunit of the NuRD complex, which has nucleosome remodelling and histone deacetylase activities. It acts as a transcriptional repressor, plays a role in gene silencing, and recruits histone deacetylases and DNA methyltransferases. It also links metastasis-associated protein 2 to the core histone deacetylase complex.
No. Although MBD3 belongs to the methyl-CpG binding domain family, it does not bind methylated DNA by itself. It binds, to a lesser degree, DNA containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides. This sets it apart from other family members that are capable of binding methylated DNA.
Yes. According to the NCBI Gene summary, alternative splicing of the MBD3 gene results in multiple transcript variants. Researchers should consider this when designing experiments, and check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity and the region of the protein it targets.
Other methyl-CpG binding domain proteins, NuRD complex partners and epigenetic regulators with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt O95983; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.