Lysine-specific demethylase 3A (KDM3A)

Lysine-specific demethylase 3A (KDM3A) is an iron- and α-ketoglutarate-dependent histone demethylase enzyme in humans, encoded by the KDM3A gene. It specifically demethylates mono- and dimethyl lysine 9 of histone H3 (H3K9me1/2), a key epigenetic mark linked to gene silencing, thus playing a pivotal role in chromatin regulation and transcriptional activation. KDM3A interacts with hormone nuclear receptors, including the androgen receptor, facilitating hormone-responsive gene transcription, and it is required in spermatogenesis, metabolic gene regulation, and adaptation to cellular stress. KDM3A is also a transcriptional coactivator for the JAK2–STAT3 pathway and is implicated in several diseases (notably cancer, obesity, and male infertility), making it an emerging therapeutic target for epigenetic modulation.

Other names

JMJD1AJumonji domain-containing 1AJHDM2ALysine demethylase 3A

Inhibition of demethylase activity (prevents removal of methyl groups from H3K9, leading to altered gene expression/epigenetic state); Blockade of coactivator/interaction with signaling pathways such as JAK2–STAT3