Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2025
08:33
Characterizing Histone Post-translational Modification Alterations in Yeast Neurodegenerative Proteinopathy Models
Published on: March 24, 2019
7.6K
Histone Modifications in Alzheimer's Disease
Dalileia Aparecida Santana1, Marilia de Arruda Cardoso Smith1, Elizabeth Suchi Chen1
1Department of Morphology & Genetics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023-062, SP, Brazil.
Genes
|February 25, 2023
Summary
Epigenetic histone modifications, like acetylation and methylation, are implicated in late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). This review explores their role and potential therapeutic targets, including histone deacetylase inhibitors for AD treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) involves genetic and environmental factors, with epigenetics playing a potential role.
- Histone modifications are key epigenetic mechanisms contributing to LOAD's pathology, but their specific roles in disease onset and progression are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the primary histone modifications (acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation) and their functions.
- To examine how these histone modifications change during aging and in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- To discuss epigenetic drugs, specifically histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, being investigated for AD treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of histone modifications in aging and Alzheimer's disease.
- Analysis of functional roles of histone acetylation, methylation, and phosphorylation.
- Overview of current epigenetic drug therapies for AD.
Main Results:
- Histone modifications are altered during aging and are implicated in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis.
- Specific histone modifications influence the molecular mechanisms underlying AD.
- Histone deacetylase inhibitors show promise as a therapeutic strategy for AD.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic histone modifications are crucial in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease.
- Targeting histone modifications with drugs like HDAC inhibitors offers a potential therapeutic avenue for AD treatment.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
582
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
582
02:25Spreading of Chromatin Modifications
8.3K
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...
Writers
The writer...
8.3K
02:32Histone Modification
13.5K
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...
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone...
13.5K
01:22Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
234
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...
234
02:30Histone Variants at the Centromere
4.4K
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...
4.4K
01:32Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells
1.7K
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...
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...
1.7K