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Related Concept Videos

Histone Modification02:32

Histone Modification

14.7K
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...
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The Nucleosome Core Particle01:12

The Nucleosome Core Particle

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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...
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Spreading of Chromatin Modifications02:25

Spreading of Chromatin Modifications

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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...
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Heterochromatin02:38

Heterochromatin

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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...
15.0K
Inheritance of Chromatin Structures03:17

Inheritance of Chromatin Structures

6.8K
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...
6.8K
The Nucleosome01:19

The Nucleosome

2.8K
Human DNA is almost two meters long. However, it is compressed inside a tiny nucleus measuring only a few microns in diameter. To make this degree of compaction possible, DNA is organized into several sequential levels so that it can fit into such a tiny space. The most compact form of DNA is a chromosome that can be seen under a microscope in a dividing cell.
In a chromosome, DNA is wound twice around a protein complex called a histone octamer core, which consists of 8 histone proteins. This...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 15, 2025

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

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The H2A.Z-nuclesome code in mammals: emerging functions.

Yolanda Colino-Sanguino1, Susan J Clark2, Fatima Valdes-Mora1

  • 1Cancer Epigenetics Biology and Therapeutics, Precision Medicine Theme, Children's Cancer Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Children and Women Health, University of NSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Trends in Genetics : TIG
|October 27, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Histone variant H2A.Z (H2A.Z) plays a key role in gene transcription, DNA repair, and 3D chromatin structure. Recent studies reveal its complex functions in development and brain activity, impacting gene regulation and disease.

Keywords:
H2A.Zemerging functionshistone variantsnucleosome code

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Last Updated: Oct 15, 2025

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Histone variants, such as H2A.Z, are crucial for nucleosome structure and function.
  • H2A.Z influences diverse cellular processes beyond basic chromatin organization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on the multifaceted roles of mammalian H2A.Z.
  • To highlight H2A.Z's involvement in gene transcription, DNA dynamics, and chromatin architecture.
  • To discuss the implications of H2A.Z in development and neurological function.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on H2A.Z.
  • Analysis of experimental data on H2A.Z function in various biological contexts.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge regarding H2A.Z's role in gene regulation and disease.

Main Results:

  • H2A.Z is implicated in RNA polymerase II pausing and elongation, enhancer activity, DNA repair, and replication.
  • Emerging evidence links H2A.Z to embryonic development, cell differentiation, and neurodevelopment.
  • H2A.Z significantly impacts 3D chromatin organization and overall genome function.

Conclusions:

  • H2A.Z exhibits a complex and previously underestimated role in gene regulation.
  • Advances in molecular technologies are crucial for understanding H2A.Z's intricate functions.
  • H2A.Z is a key player in both normal biological processes and disease pathogenesis.