Histone modification patterns and epigenetic codes

The eukaryotic DNA is wrapped around histone octamers, which consist of four different histones, H2A, H2B, H3 and H4. The N-terminal tail of each histone is post-transcriptionally modified. The modification patterns constitute codes that regulate chromatin organisation and DNA utilization processes,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBiochimica et biophysica acta Vol. 1790; no. 9; pp. 863 - 868
Main Authors Lennartsson, Andreas, Ekwall, Karl
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.09.2009
Subjects
Animals
Cancer
Cell Differentiation
Chromatin
Epigenesis, Genetic
Epigenetic
Histone code
Histone modification
Histones - metabolism
Humans
Neoplasms - etiology
Histone modification
Chromatin
Epigenetic
Cell differentiation
Histone code
Cancer
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Summary:The eukaryotic DNA is wrapped around histone octamers, which consist of four different histones, H2A, H2B, H3 and H4. The N-terminal tail of each histone is post-transcriptionally modified. The modification patterns constitute codes that regulate chromatin organisation and DNA utilization processes, including transcription. Recent progress in technology development has made it possible to perform systematic genome-wide studies of histone modifications. This helps immensely in deciphering the histone codes and their biological influence. In this review, we discuss the histone modification patterns found in genome-wide studies in different biological models and how they influence cell differentiation and carcinogenesis.
ISSN:0304-4165
0006-3002
1872-8006
DOI:10.1016/j.bbagen.2008.12.006