Ezh2 phosphorylation is required for Stat3 methylation and transcriptional activity.
A and B, analysis of the nuclear localization of Ezh2-S21P in the large-cell blastula (stage 7) and early gastrula (stage 10). C, luciferase reporter assay of Stat3 transcriptional activity in early gastrula expressing a constitutively active form of Ezh2, Ezh2-S21D, or a nonphosphorylable form of Ezh2, Ezh2-S21A (*, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01). D, a control embryo at tail-bud stage. E, ventral expression of Ezh2-S21D does not affect embryonic development. F and G, ventral expression of Ezh2-S21A induces a secondary axis with somitic tissue. H and I, ventral expression of an inhibitory form of Stat3 methylation, Stat3-K49R, induces a secondary axis with somitic tissue. Scale bars: A and B, 200 μm; D–F and H, 500 μm; G and I, 500 μm.