Histone-lysine N-methyltransferase EHMT1 (Ehmt1)

Histone methyltransferase that especially mono- and dimethylates'Lys-9' of histone H3 (H3K9me1 and H3K9me2, respectively) in euchromatin. H3K9me represents a specific tag for epigenetic transcriptional repression by recruiting HP1 proteins to methylated histones.

Also weakly methylates 'Lys-27' of histone H3 (H3K27me). Also required for DNA methylation, the histone methyltransferase activity isn't required for DNA methylation, suggesting that these 2 activities function independently.