Histone-modifying enzymes: encrypting an enigmatic epigenetic code.

Jean-François Couture; Raymond C Trievel

doi:10.1016/j.sbi.2006.10.002

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Histone-modifying enzymes: encrypting an enigmatic epigenetic code.

Jean-François Couture·Raymond C Trievel

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Abstract

Histone-modifying enzymes catalyze a diverse array of post-translational modifications of core and linker histones within chromatin. These modifications govern a multitude of genomic functions, particularly gene expression, and are believed to constitute an epigenetic code. Histone-modifying enzymes inscribe this code by catalyzing site-selective modifications, which are subsequently interpreted by effector proteins that recognize specific covalent marks. The substrate specificity of these enzymes is of fundamental biological importance because it underpins this epigenetic code. Recently, the structural basis of this specificity has been examined with regards to recently determined structures of GCN5 acetyltransferases and SET domain methyltransferases in complex with their cognate histone substrates.

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Animals Catalytic Domain Epigenesis, Genetic Histone Acetyltransferases Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase Histones Humans In Vitro Techniques Models, Molecular Protein Conformation Protein Processing, Post-Translational Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins Substrate Specificity Tetrahymena thermophila p300-CBP-Associated Factor Journal Article Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Review

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Jean-François Couture, Raymond C Trievel. 2006-10-27. Histone-modifying enzymes: encrypting an enigmatic epigenetic code.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbi.2006.10.002

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