New Cancer Therapies Target Epigenetic Switch

Researchers discover a key domain in the PRC2 protein complex that could be a target for new cancer treatments.

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Researchers have discovered that a small region of the PRC2 protein complex, long considered merely structural, is actually critical for the complex's function. When this region, called the SBD, is removed, the cancers they tested were stopped in their tracks. The findings suggest the SBD domain could potentially be targeted by new cancer inhibitors.

Why it matters

PRC2 has well-established links to breast, prostate, blood, and skin cancers, among others. Understanding the mechanics of this protein complex could lead to the development of new therapies to treat these aggressive malignancies.

The details

The researchers found that while the SBD domain is not essential for the architectural integrity of the PRC2 complex, it is critically important to the complex's ability to function. Without the SBD, PRC2 cannot methylate its target histone H3K27, preventing it from silencing certain genes. They also discovered that removing the SBD halts the growth of aggressive lymphomas driven by EZH2 mutations, a key subunit of PRC2.

  • The findings were published in Genes & Development in 2026.
  • C. David Allis, a pioneer in chromatin biology who discovered the SBD's importance, passed away in early 2023.

The players

C. David Allis

A pioneer in chromatin biology who discovered the importance of the SBD domain in the PRC2 protein complex.

Agata Patriotis

The lead author of the study and a former member of the Allis lab, now a postdoc at the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT.

PRC2

A protein complex that regulates cell differentiation, identity, and plasticity, and has well-established links to various cancers.

EZH2

A subunit of the PRC2 complex that interacts with the histone tail and is linked to several cancers.

SBD

A specific region of the EZH2 subunit that was found to be critical for the PRC2 complex's ability to function.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The SBD serves as a mechanical switch necessary for both healthy embryonic development and the maintenance of certain malignancies. This domain could potentially be targeted by cancer inhibitors.”

— Agata Patriotis, Lead author and former member of the Allis lab (Genes & Development)

“Dave was very curious about histone modifications, and he was particularly excited about this research's potential to discover something fundamental about PRC2.”

— Agata Patriotis, Lead author and former member of the Allis lab (Genes & Development)

What’s next

Researchers plan to further investigate the SBD domain and explore its potential as a target for new cancer therapies.

The takeaway

This study provides crucial insights into the mechanics of the PRC2 protein complex, which is linked to a variety of cancers. The discovery of the SBD domain's critical role opens up new avenues for the development of targeted cancer inhibitors that could lead to more effective treatments.