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Related Concept Videos

Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells01:32

Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells

Chromatin modification alters gene expression; therefore, scientists can add histone-modifying enzymes, histone variants, and chromatin remodeling complexes to somatic cells to aid reprogramming into pluripotent stem (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...
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,...
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...
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...
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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Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) Protocol for Low-abundance Embryonic Samples
12:47

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) Protocol for Low-abundance Embryonic Samples

Published on: August 29, 2017

Bivalent histone modifications in early embryogenesis.

Nadine L Vastenhouw1, Alexander F Schier

  • 1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. vastenhouw@mpi-cbg.de

Current Opinion in Cell Biology
|April 20, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Histone modifications like H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 mark genes in embryonic stem cells. Their roles in development and potential inheritance are reviewed.

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Published on: August 29, 2017

Isolation and Cultivation of Neural Progenitors Followed by Chromatin-Immunoprecipitation of Histone 3 Lysine 79 Dimethylation Mark
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Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Histone modifications regulate gene expression by influencing transcriptional regulator interactions with chromatin.
  • Specific histone modification patterns, such as bivalent domains (H3K27me3 and H3K4me3), are observed in embryonic stem (ES) cells and embryos, correlating with cell type and developmental stage.
  • Bivalent domains are thought to repress lineage-control genes during pluripotency while preparing them for activation during differentiation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the roles of H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 marks in embryos and ES cells.
  • To discuss the establishment, maintenance, and resolution of histone marks during embryonic development.
  • To explore the possibility of histone mark inheritance from parent to offspring.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on histone modifications in embryos and ES cells.
  • Analysis of existing data on H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 patterns.
  • Discussion of potential mechanisms for histone mark establishment and inheritance.

Main Results:

  • Bivalent domains (H3K27me3/H3K4me3) are found in lineage-control genes in ES cells and zebrafish blastomeres.
  • The function of bivalent domains is debated, with some studies questioning their universal nature.
  • Histone marks are also found in sperm, suggesting potential for inheritance, though this remains unclear.

Conclusions:

  • H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 play significant roles in regulating gene expression during embryonic development.
  • The precise mechanisms of histone mark establishment, maintenance, and resolution are critical for developmental progression.
  • Further research is needed to determine whether histone marks are inherited or formed de novo during development.