Several of the paralogous KDM5 genes in human are implicated in intellectual disability (see MIM:300534, FBhh0000849; MIM:618109, FBhh0001335). The KDM5 genes (KDM5A, KDM5B, KDM5C, and KDM5D) encode histone demethylases that specifically demethylate Lys-4 of histone H3 and act as transcriptional regulators. There is a single orthologous gene in Drosophila, Dmel\Kdm5, for which multiple genetic reagents have been generated, including an amorphic mutation, RNAi-targeting constructs, and alleles caused by insertional mutagenesis.
None of the human KDM5 genes have been introduced into flies.
Animals homozygous for a null allele of Kdm5 survive to late pupal stages but fail to eclose; pharate adults exhibit abnormalities in the mushroom bodies of the brain. It has been determined that Kdm5 is required within ganglion mother cells and immature neurons of the mushroom body for proper axogenesis. However, the mechanism by which Kdm5 functions in this context appears to be independent of its canonical histone demethylase activity. This neurodevelopmental system has been used to identify genes regulated by Kdm5.
Similar defects in the development of the mushroom bodies are observed in Drosophila disease models for intellectual disability, autosomal recessive 56 (FBhh0000602) and fragile-X syndrome (FBhh0000136).
[updated Apr. 2021 by FlyBase; FBrf0222196]
The KDM5 genes (KDM5A, KDM5B, KDM5C, and KDM5D) encode histone demethylases that specifically demethylate Lys-4 of histone H3. The KDM5 proteins act as transcriptional repressors; may also play roles in genome stability and DNA repair. [Gene Cards, KDM5B, KDM5C; 2021.04.06]
Many to one: 4 human genes to 1 Drosophila gene.
Many to one: 4 human genes to 1 Drosophila gene.
High-scoring ortholog of human KDM5A, KDM5B, KDM5C and KDM5D (1 Drosophila to 4 human). Dmel\Kdm5 shares 39-42% identity and 53-57% similarity with the human genes.