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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...

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,...

Chromatin Structure and RNA Splicing

Chromatin Structure and RNA Splicing

In eukaryotic cells, nascent mRNA transcripts need to undergo many post-transcriptional modifications to reach the cell cytoplasm and translate into functional proteins. For a long time, transcription and pre-mRNA processing were considered two independent events that occur sequentially in the cell. However, it has now been well established that transcription and pre-mRNA processing are two simultaneous processes that are precisely regulated inside the cell.
The chromatin structure, especially...

Inheritance of Chromatin Structures

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 Expression

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

RNA-Associated Chromatin DNA-DNA Interaction Method

RNA-Associated Chromatin DNA-DNA Interaction Method

Published on: April 30, 2026

Common ground: small RNA programming and chromatin modifications.

Erwan Lejeune¹, Robin C Allshire

¹Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology and Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, Scotland, UK. erwan.lejeune@ed.ac.uk

Current Opinion in Cell Biology

|April 12, 2011

Summary

RNA interference (RNAi) resets epigenetic landscapes by guiding heterochromatin assembly in fission yeast. Similar small RNA pathways are crucial for epigenetic reprogramming in animals.

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CARIP-Seq and ChIP-Seq: Methods to Identify Chromatin-Associated RNAs and Protein-DNA Interactions in Embryonic Stem Cells

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Published on: May 25, 2018

Area of Science:

Epigenetics and Molecular Biology
Genetics and Genomics

Background:

Epigenetic mechanisms control genome structure and gene expression.
Small RNA pathways, including RNA interference (RNAi), are key regulators of chromatin modification.
Centromeric heterochromatin assembly in fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) serves as a model for studying these processes.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advancements in understanding RNAi-mediated heterochromatin formation in S. pombe.
To discuss the triggers of RNAi and experimental manipulations that separate RNAi from chromatin modification.
To provide an overview of conserved small RNA pathways in metazoans involved in epigenetic reprogramming.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on RNAi and heterochromatin formation in S. pombe.
Analysis of studies investigating RNAi triggers and their functional consequences.
Comparative analysis of small RNA pathways across different species.

Main Results:

RNAi is essential for centromeric heterochromatin assembly in S. pombe.
Specific events trigger RNAi, and these can be experimentally manipulated.
Conserved small RNA pathways exist in metazoans, impacting germ cells and early development.

Conclusions:

Fission yeast provides a powerful model for dissecting RNAi-dependent epigenetic regulation.
Small RNA pathways play fundamental roles in establishing and maintaining epigenetic states across eukaryotes.
Understanding these mechanisms in yeast offers insights into conserved processes in animal development and germline inheritance.