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Related Concept Videos

Position-effect Variegation02:32

Position-effect Variegation

In 1928, a German botanist Emil Heitz observed the moss nuclei with a DNA binding dye. He observed that while some chromatin regions decondense and spread out in the interphase nucleus, others do not. He termed them euchromatin and heterochromatin, respectively. He proposed that the heterochromatin regions reflect a functionally inactive state of the genome. It was later confirmed that heterochromatin is transcriptionally repressed, and euchromatin is transcriptionally active chromatin.
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...
Polytene Chromosomes02:04

Polytene Chromosomes

Polytene chromosomes are giant interphase chromosomes with several DNA strands placed side by side. They were discovered in the year 1881 by Balbiani in salivary glands, intestine, muscles, malpighian tubules, and hypoderm of larvae Chironomus plumosus. Hence, these are also called "Salivary gland chromosomes." These are found in insects of the order Diptera and Collembola; in certain organs of mammals; and synergids, antipodes of flowering plants. Polytene chromosomes are also regularly...
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...

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Immunofluorescent Staining for Visualization of Heterochromatin Associated Proteins in Drosophila Salivary Glands
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Histone modification in Drosophila.

Imre M Boros1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary. borosi@bio.u-szeged.hu

Briefings in Functional Genomics
|July 19, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Drosophila studies reveal how histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) impact chromatin structure and gene regulation. This review details PTMs, their modifiers, and their roles in key biological processes.

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Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics and Molecular Biology
  • Chromatin Biology
  • Genetics and Genomics

Background:

  • Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of histones are crucial for regulating gene expression by altering chromatin structure.
  • Understanding these modifications is key to deciphering fundamental biological processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of histone PTMs in biological processes using Drosophila as a model organism.
  • To highlight the dynamic changes of histone PTMs and associated factors.

Main Methods:

  • Leveraging Drosophila genetics and polytene chromosome cytology to study histone PTMs.
  • Analyzing genome-wide distribution data for over 20 histone PTM types.
  • Integrating gene-targeted studies on specific histone modifications and modifiers.

Main Results:

  • Drosophila provides a powerful model for investigating histone PTMs due to its genetic and cytological tools.
  • Genome-wide analyses offer a detailed view of the chromatin landscape and PTM distribution.
  • Specific histone modifications and their interplay, including phosphorylation and acetylation crosstalk, are elucidated.

Conclusions:

  • Histone PTMs are central to chromatin dynamics and gene regulation.
  • Drosophila serves as an exceptional model for dissecting the complexities of histone modifications.
  • Further research into PTM crosstalk reveals intricate regulatory mechanisms.