Histone modification
Histone Modification
Histone modification is a process that plays a key role in gene expression and DNA repair. It involves the addition or removal of chemical groups to or from histone proteins, which are responsible for packaging DNA into a compact, efficient form inside the cell nucleus.
Pronunciation
His·tone Mod·i·fi·ca·tion: /hɪˈstoʊn ˌmɒdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
Etymology
The term "histone" is derived from the Greek word "histos", meaning "web" or "tissue", and the suffix "-one", which is used in chemistry to denote a type of compound. The term "modification" comes from the Latin "modificare", meaning "to limit" or "to measure off".
Types of Histone Modification
There are several types of histone modifications, including methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Each of these modifications can influence gene expression in different ways, and they often work together to regulate the structure and function of the genome.
Methylation
Histone methylation involves the addition of a methyl group to the histone protein. This can either activate or repress gene expression, depending on the specific context.
Acetylation
Histone acetylation involves the addition of an acetyl group to the histone protein. This generally leads to an increase in gene expression.
Phosphorylation
Histone phosphorylation involves the addition of a phosphate group to the histone protein. This can influence a variety of cellular processes, including DNA repair and cell division.
Ubiquitination
Histone ubiquitination involves the addition of a ubiquitin protein to the histone protein. This can influence gene expression and DNA repair.
Related Terms
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