Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Purification of H3 and H4 Histone Proteins and the Quantification of Acetylated Histone Marks in Cells and Brain Tissue
Published on: November 30, 2018
Assessment of histone acetylation levels in relation to cell cycle phase
Simona Ronzoni1, Mario Faretta, Marco Ballarini
1Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy.
Abstract:
Histone acetylation affects chromatin structural organization, thus regulating gene expression and DNA-related cellular events. Levels of histone acetylation are tightly modulated in normal cells and frequently altered in tumors. Consequently, histone deacetylase inhibitors are currently being tested in clinical trials as anticancer drugs. Presented here is a protocol for measuring the degree of cellular histone tail acetylation, alone or in combination with DNA content to simultaneously evaluate cell ploidy and/or cell cycle progression. The procedure can also be employed to stain peripheral blood samples in order to assess mean histone acetylation levels in patients treated with histone deacetylase inhibitors.
Related Concept Videos
Histone Modification
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone deacetylase,...
Histone Modification
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone deacetylase,...
Spreading of Chromatin Modifications
Writers
The writer is an enzyme that can...
Euchromatin
Euchromatin is the less dense region of the chromatin and stains lighter. Euchromatin contains histone H3 extensively...
Histone Variants at the Centromere
Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...

