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Packaging principle: How DNA methylation and histone acetylation control the transcriptional activity of chromatin

1998; Wiley; Volume: 282; Issue: 1-2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1002/(sici)1097-010x(199809/10)282

1097-010X

Alan P. Wolffe,

Cancer-related gene regulation

Chromatin contains DNA, the transcriptional machinery, and structural proteins such as histones. All these components together are necessary for the physiologic control of transcription. A consideration of recent advances leads to a packaging principle for gene regulation. This packaging principle states that the transcriptional activity of a gene is largely controlled by the packaging of the template within chromatin. This assumption follows from experiments that establish the covalent modification of chromatin as a major causal influence on gene activity. DNA methylation and histone acetylation alter the nucleosomal infrastructure to repress or activate transcription. These covalent modifications can have roles in both promoter-specific events and the global control of chromosomal activity. These regulatory functions are essential for vertebrate development.