The Jumonji domain-containing protein 3 (JMJD3) functions as a trimethylation-specific demethylase, converting the trimethylated histone H3 Lys27 residue to the dimethylated form, and is thought to also function as a transcriptional repressor. JMJD3 plays a central role in regulation of posterior development, by regulating HOX gene expression. It is involved in inflammatory response by participating in macrophage differentiation in case of inflammation by regulating gene expression and macrophage differentiation. JMJD3 can also interact with and demethylate p53, resulting in its stabilization and localization to the nucleus in mouse embryo fibroblasts during neural stem cell differentiation.