SUV39H1 Regulates KLF4 and Chromatin Remodeling in Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Plasticity

We identify SUV39H1 as a potent PDGF-induced epigenetic regulator that promotes KLF4 expression and VSMC dedifferentiation. SUV39H1 regulates dynamic trimethylation at histone H3 lysine 9 in phenotypic switching, regulating mark deposition and the KDM4A demethylase. We report that SUV39H1 coordinately regulates DNA and histone methylation and histone acetylation. This altered chromatin accessibility by a heterochromatin-associated enzyme represents a new mechanism underlying VSMC plasticity.