Decoding RNF20: an epigenetic modifier and beyond

E3 ubiquitin ligases play essential roles in catalyzing the ubiquitination process and are involved in almost all life activities of eukaryotes. RNF20 is a really interesting new gene (RING) finger E3 ubiquitin ligase and is well-known for its role in monoubiquitination of histone H2B. Recent studies have offered new insights into how RNF20 regulates gene expression and developmental programs, and how misregulation of its activities leads to pathologies including developmental disorders and cancers. Here, we provide a current review of the physiological and pathological roles of RNF20 in embryonic development and human diseases, and outline its cellular and molecular modes of action, as well as the upstream control of RNF20 activity, thus providing insights for the molecular basis of RNF20 misregulation associated human diseases.