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Histone Variants at the Centromere

Histone Variants at the Centromere

Histone variants are the histone proteins with structural and sequence variations. These variants may be regarded as “mutant” forms that replace their canonical histone counterparts in the nucleosomes. Specific post-translational modifications on the histone variants enable further chromatin complexity and regulate tissue-specific gene expression. The most common histone variants are from histone H2A, H2B, and linker histone H1 families. However, several variants of histone H3 variants are also...

Histone Modification

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 Modification

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 Modifications

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...

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Extraction of Histones from Clinical Specimens for Epigenetic Profiling by Mass Spectrometry

Extraction of Histones from Clinical Specimens for Epigenetic Profiling by Mass Spectrometry

Published on: November 21, 2025

Histone modifications and cancer.

Carla Sawan¹, Zdenko Herceg

¹Epigenetics Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer ,69008 Lyon, France.

Advances in Genetics

|October 6, 2010

Summary

Epigenetic modifications, including histone marks, are crucial in cancer. Disruptions in these epigenetic mechanisms can lead to cancer development and offer new therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

Epigenetics and Molecular Biology
Cancer Research
Chromatin Biology

Background:

Epigenetic events, particularly histone modifications (acetylation, methylation, etc.), are key drivers of cancer development and progression.
Histone modifications regulate gene activity, DNA replication, and repair, influencing critical cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advances in understanding histone mark regulation.
To explore how disruptions in epigenetic mechanisms contribute to tumorigenesis.
To discuss potential novel strategies for cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Main Methods:

Review of current literature on histone modifications and chromatin research.
Analysis of the mechanisms controlling the establishment and maintenance of histone marks.

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Unveiling Histone Proteoforms using 2D-TAU Gel Electrophoresis

Unveiling Histone Proteoforms using 2D-TAU Gel Electrophoresis

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Global Level Quantification of Histone Post-Translational Modifications in a 3D Cell Culture Model of Hepatic Tissue

Global Level Quantification of Histone Post-Translational Modifications in a 3D Cell Culture Model of Hepatic Tissue

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Last Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Extraction of Histones from Clinical Specimens for Epigenetic Profiling by Mass Spectrometry

Extraction of Histones from Clinical Specimens for Epigenetic Profiling by Mass Spectrometry

Published on: November 21, 2025

Unveiling Histone Proteoforms using 2D-TAU Gel Electrophoresis

Unveiling Histone Proteoforms using 2D-TAU Gel Electrophoresis

Published on: October 18, 2024

Global Level Quantification of Histone Post-Translational Modifications in a 3D Cell Culture Model of Hepatic Tissue

Global Level Quantification of Histone Post-Translational Modifications in a 3D Cell Culture Model of Hepatic Tissue

Published on: May 5, 2022

Discussion of the link between aberrant histone modifications and human malignancies.

Main Results:

Histone modifications are integral to controlling gene expression and cellular functions.
Alterations in histone-modifying complexes disrupt normal chromatin regulation, promoting cancer.
Aberrant histone modification patterns are frequently observed in various human cancers.

Conclusions:

Understanding epigenetic mechanisms, especially histone modifications, is vital for cancer research.
Dysregulation of histone marks is a significant factor in oncogenesis.
Advances in this field hold promise for developing new cancer therapies and diagnostic tools.