Functions of Site-Specific Histone Acetylation and Deacetylation

Abstract

Histone acetylation regulates many cellular processes, and specific acetylation marks, either singly or in combination, produce distinct outcomes. For example, the acetylation pattern on newly synthesized histones is important for their assembly into nucleosomes by histone chaperones. Additionally, the degree of chromatin compaction and folding may be regulated by acetylation of histone H4 at lysine 16. Histone acetylation also regulates the formation of heterochromatin; deacetylation of H4 lysine 16 is important for spreading of heterochromatin components, whereas acetylation of this site serves as a barrier to this spreading. Finally, histone acetylation is critical for gene transcription, but recent results suggest that deacetylation of certain sites also plays an important role. There are many histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and deacetylases, with differing preferences for the various histone proteins and for specific sites on individual histones. Determining how these enzymes create distinct acetylation patterns and regulate the functional outcome is an important challenge.

SAHA, an HDAC inhibitor, synergizes with tacrolimus to prevent murine cardiac allograft rejection

“…[14][15][16] The levels for histone acetylation are currently believed to be controlled by the steady state balance of two classes of epigenetic enzymes, histone deacetylases (HDACs) and histone acetyltransferases. 17,18 Other than chromatin proteins, transcription factors and cell-signaling regulatory proteins could also be the substrates for HDACs.…”

A role for histone acetylation in regulating transcription elongation

“…It has been proposed that promiscuous HAT and histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity across the genome maintains a steady state level of global chromatin acetylation [25]. Localised increases in histone acetylation could arise from the specific recruitment of HATs, or removal of HDACs, at target areas such as the promoter and ORFs of active genes.…”

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“…Photothermal transfection, or down-regulation, is a widely used method of delivering molecules which interfere with the expression of undesired genes that cause replication of disease particularly in cells where there is tumor formation [240][241][242][243][244]. The technique employs a NIR light trigger to facilitate site specific silencing through biomolecule delivery and the conversion of electronic energy to heat [245][246][247].…”