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Related Concept Videos

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,...
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...
Duplication of Chromatin Structure02:05

Duplication of Chromatin Structure

The process of chromosome duplication during cell division requires genome-wide disruption and re-assembly of chromatin. The chromatin structure must be accurately inherited, reassembled, and maintained in the daughter cells to ensure lineage propagation.
The basic unit of the chromatin is the nucleosome, consisting of DNA wrapped around octameric histone proteins and short stretches of linker DNA separating individual nucleosomes. The histone proteins within the nucleosome have their...
The Nucleosome Core Particle01:12

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.
Nucleosomes, paradoxically, perform two opposite functions simultaneously. On the one hand, their primary aim is to protect the delicate DNA strands from physical damage and help achieve a higher compaction ratio. On the other hand, they must allow polymerase enzymes to access histone-bound DNA during...
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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Deciphering Molecular Mechanism of Histone Assembly by DNA Curtain Technique
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CRACKing the histone code: cocaine's effects on chromatin structure and function.

Quincey LaPlant1, Eric J Nestler

  • 1Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1065, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA.

Hormones and Behavior
|July 3, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Environmental stimuli like cocaine can alter gene expression through epigenetics, influencing behavior and addiction. This review explores how these epigenetic changes in nerve cells contribute to the addicted state.

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Deciphering Molecular Mechanism of Histone Assembly by DNA Curtain Technique
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The ChroP Approach Combines ChIP and Mass Spectrometry to Dissect Locus-specific Proteomic Landscapes of Chromatin
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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Epigenetics, the study of nongenetic influences on gene expression, is crucial for understanding complex behaviors.
  • Psychostimulant drugs, such as cocaine, profoundly impact behavior and are linked to epigenetic changes.
  • Addiction is a complex pathology where epigenetic regulation of gene expression plays a key role.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of epigenetics in psychostimulant-induced behavioral changes.
  • To explore the concepts of global, temporal, and spatial control of gene expression in addiction.
  • To outline distinct patterns of chromatin regulation underlying addiction.

Main Methods:

  • Bioinformatic analyses of gene expression data.
  • Molecular biology techniques to study epigenetic modifications.
  • Behavioral studies in animal models of addiction.

Main Results:

  • Identified psychostimulant-induced epigenetic regulation as central to addiction.
  • Highlighted the importance of mRNA expression control in epigenetic influence.
  • Described two distinct patterns of chromatin regulation linked to addiction.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic mechanisms are fundamental to understanding addiction.
  • Complex interplay of factors influences gene expression in the addicted state.
  • Distinct chromatin regulation patterns contribute to the addicted phenotype.