WD-repeat protein 5 (WDR5, also designated BMP-2-induced gene 3 kb or BIG-3) belongs to the family of WD-40 repeat proteins, and is essential for vertebrate development, Hox gene activation and global H3K4 trimethylation. WDR5 is a conserved subunit of Trithorax (TRX) histone methyltransferase complexes that selectively binds to dimethylated Lys4 (K4me2) in Histone H3 to promote K4 trimethylation by TRX. It is expressed in osteoblasts, chondrocytes, osteocytes and marrow stromal cells. The WDR5 protein contains 7 WD-repeats, which may play a role in its function of accelerating osteoblast differentiation.
