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Related Concept Videos

Spreading of Chromatin Modifications02:25

Spreading of Chromatin Modifications

The histone proteins in the nucleosomes are post-translationally modified (PTM) to increase or decrease access to DNA. The commonly observed PTMs are methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination of lysine amino acids in the histone H3 tail region. These histone modifications have specific meaning for the cell. Hence, they are called "histone code". The protein complex involved in histone modification is termed as "reader-writer" complex.
Writers
The writer is an enzyme that can...
Histone Modification02:32

Histone Modification

The histone proteins have a flexible N-terminal tail extending out from the nucleosome. These histone tails are often subjected to post-translational modifications such as acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Particular combinations of these modifications form “histone codes” that influence the chromatin folding and tissue-specific gene expression.
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone deacetylase,...
Histone Modification02:32

Histone Modification

The histone proteins have a flexible N-terminal tail extending out from the nucleosome. These histone tails are often subjected to post-translational modifications such as acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Particular combinations of these modifications form “histone codes” that influence the chromatin folding and tissue-specific gene expression.
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone deacetylase,...
Nucleosome Remodeling02:54

Nucleosome Remodeling

Nucleosomes are the basic units of chromatin compaction. Each nucleosome consists of the DNA bound tightly around a histone core, which makes the DNA inaccessible to DNA binding proteins such as DNA polymerase and RNA polymerase. Hence, the fundamental problem is to ensure access to DNA when appropriate, despite the compact and protective chromatin structure.
Nucleosome remodeling complex
Eukaryotic cells have specialized enzymes called ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling enzymes. These enzymes...
Inheritance of Chromatin Structures03:17

Inheritance of Chromatin Structures

Epigenetics is the study of inherited changes in a cell's phenotype without changing the DNA sequences. It provides a form of memory for the differential gene expression pattern to maintain cell lineage, position-effect variegation, dosage compensation, and maintenance of chromatin structures such as telomeres and centromeres. For example, the structure and location of the centromere on chromosomes are epigenetically inherited. Its functionality is not dictated or ensured by the underlying DNA...
The Nucleosome Core Particle02:10

The Nucleosome Core Particle

Nucleosomes are the DNA-histone complex, where the DNA strand is wound around the histone core. The histone core is an octamer containing two copies of H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 histone proteins.
The paradox
Nucleosomes, paradoxically, perform two opposite functions simultaneously. On the one hand, their main responsibility is to protect the delicate DNA strands from physical damage and help achieve a higher compaction ratio. While on the other hand, they must allow polymerase enzymes to access DNA...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

The ChroP Approach Combines ChIP and Mass Spectrometry to Dissect Locus-specific Proteomic Landscapes of Chromatin
24:02

The ChroP Approach Combines ChIP and Mass Spectrometry to Dissect Locus-specific Proteomic Landscapes of Chromatin

Published on: April 11, 2014

How chromatin-binding modules interpret histone modifications: lessons from professional pocket pickers.

Sean D Taverna1, Haitao Li2, Alexander J Ruthenburg1

  • 1Laboratory of Chromatin Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021, USA.

Nature Structural & Molecular Biology
|November 7, 2007
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) form a code that regulates gene expression by guiding protein interactions. Understanding how these histone PTMs are read is crucial for deciphering epigenetic regulation and its role in diseases like cancer.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 10, 2026

The ChroP Approach Combines ChIP and Mass Spectrometry to Dissect Locus-specific Proteomic Landscapes of Chromatin
24:02

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Published on: April 11, 2014

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Deciphering Molecular Mechanism of Histone Assembly by DNA Curtain Technique
06:32

Deciphering Molecular Mechanism of Histone Assembly by DNA Curtain Technique

Published on: March 9, 2022

Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics and Molecular Biology
  • Structural Biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Histones are key proteins in eukaryotic genome packaging within chromatin.
  • Histones undergo diverse post-translational modifications (PTMs), particularly on their tails.
  • These PTMs are hypothesized to form a 'histone code' regulating gene expression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize molecular recognition mechanisms of histone PTMs by 'reader' proteins.
  • To highlight specific readout strategies for individual histone marks.
  • To explore the functional consequences of these epigenetic interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of structural and functional data on histone PTM-binding effector modules.
  • Analysis of 'reader pocket' interactions with histone modifications.
  • Integration of molecular recognition principles with epigenetic regulation.

Main Results:

  • Detailed overview of how diverse protein modules recognize specific histone PTMs.
  • Identification of common themes and unique mechanisms in histone mark recognition.
  • Insights into how these interactions influence chromatin states and function.

Conclusions:

  • Molecular recognition of histone PTMs by reader proteins is critical for interpreting the histone code.
  • Dysregulation of these interactions has significant implications for human health and diseases, including cancer.
  • Further understanding of these mechanisms can reveal novel therapeutic targets.