Non-Histone Arginine Methylation by Protein Arginine Methyltransferases

Protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) enzymes play a crucial role in RNA splicing, DNA damage repair, cell signaling, and differentiation. Arginine methylation is a prominent posttransitional modification of histones and various non-histone proteins that can either activate or repress gene expression. The aberrant expression of PRMTs has been linked to multiple abnormalities, notably cancer. Herein, we review a number of non-histone protein substrates for all nine members of human PRMTs and how PRMT-mediated non-histone arginine methylation modulates various diseases. Additionally, we highlight the most recent clinical studies for several PRMT inhibitors.