Catalytic-independent roles of UTX-1 in C. elegans development.

We recently analyzed the functional roles of UTX-1 during development. utx-1 is an essential gene required for the correct embryonic and post-embryonic development of C. elegans, and it displays an H3K27me3 demethylase activity. Rescue experiments demonstrated that the enzymatic activity of UTX-1 is not relevant for its role in development. The phenotypes associated with loss of UTX-1 might, instead, be a result of compromised functions of an UTX-1-containing complex. Here we discuss the possible mechanisms by which UTX-1 contributes to normal development.