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Related Concept Videos

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...
Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression02:35

Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression

Chromatin is the massive complex of DNA and proteins packaged inside the nucleus. The complexity of chromatin folding and how it is packaged inside the nucleus greatly influences  access to genetic information. Generally, the nucleus' periphery is considered transcriptionally repressive, while the cell's interior is considered a transcriptionally active area. 
Topologically Associated Domains (TADs)
The 3-dimensional positioning of chromatin in the nucleus influences the timing and level of...
Heterochromatin02:38

Heterochromatin

The extent of chromatin compaction can be studied by staining chromatin using specific DNA binding dyes. Under the microscope, the dense-compacted regions that take up more dye are called heterochromatin. Heterochromatin is further classified into two forms – constitutive heterochromatin and facultative heterochromatin.
Constitutive heterochromatin: It is a highly compact region of chromatin that is mostly concentrated in the centromere and telomere. Unlike euchromatin, the amino acid at 9th...
Heterochromatin02:38

Heterochromatin

The extent of chromatin compaction can be studied by staining chromatin using specific DNA binding dyes. Under the microscope, the dense-compacted regions that take up more dye are called heterochromatin. Heterochromatin is further classified into two forms – constitutive heterochromatin and facultative heterochromatin.
Constitutive heterochromatin: It is a highly compact region of chromatin that is mostly concentrated in the centromere and telomere. Unlike euchromatin, the amino acid at 9th...
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...
Euchromatin01:01

Euchromatin

The extent of chromatin compaction can be studied by staining chromatin using specific DNA binding dyes. Under the microscope, the dense-compacted regions take up more dye, appearing darker, while the less-compact areas take up less dye and appear lighter. Based on the compaction level, chromatins are classified into two primary forms – euchromatin and heterochromatin.
Euchromatin is the less dense region of the chromatin and stains lighter. Euchromatin contains histone H3 extensively...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers
10:28

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers

Published on: September 20, 2018

Chromatin learns to behave.

Luca Crepaldi1, Antonella Riccio

  • 1Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, UK.

Epigenetics
|February 7, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Chromatin in the brain is dynamic, not static, enabling functional plasticity in neurons. Specific chromatin remodeling events link environmental stimuli to behavioral responses, offering therapeutic targets for neurological disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Chromatin modifications typically define cellular differentiation.
  • In the central nervous system, chromatin is highly dynamic, supporting neuronal plasticity.
  • This dynamic nature is crucial for fully differentiated, post-mitotic neurons.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review studies on chromatin remodeling in the central nervous system.
  • To explore how chromatin changes encode environmental stimuli and behavioral responses.
  • To highlight the role of histone acetylation in neurological functions and disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating chromatin remodeling in neurons.
  • Analysis of research linking epigenetic modifications to behavior.

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Chromatin Extraction from Frozen Chimeric Liver Tissue for Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Analysis
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Chromatin Extraction from Frozen Chimeric Liver Tissue for Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Analysis

Published on: March 23, 2021

A Method to Study de novo Formation of Chromatin Domains
07:34

A Method to Study de novo Formation of Chromatin Domains

Published on: August 23, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers
10:28

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers

Published on: September 20, 2018

Chromatin Extraction from Frozen Chimeric Liver Tissue for Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Analysis
09:26

Chromatin Extraction from Frozen Chimeric Liver Tissue for Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Analysis

Published on: March 23, 2021

A Method to Study de novo Formation of Chromatin Domains
07:34

A Method to Study de novo Formation of Chromatin Domains

Published on: August 23, 2019

  • Focus on histone acetylation, histone acetyltransferases (HATs), and histone deacetylases (HDACs).

    • Main Results:

    • Specific chromatin remodeling events enable neurons to encode environmental stimuli.
    • These epigenetic changes are linked to physiological (e.g., cognition) and pathological (e.g., drug addiction) conditions.
    • Histone acetylation is a key epigenetic mechanism regulating behavior.

    Conclusions:

    • Dynamic chromatin remodeling in neurons is essential for functional plasticity and behavioral responses.
    • Histone acetylation plays a pivotal role in regulating behavior.
    • Histone acetyltransferases and deacetylases are promising therapeutic targets for neurological disorders.