Epigenetic code

Turner BM (2000) Histone acetylation and an epigenetic code. Bioessays 22 836-845... 

The epigenetic codes set by HATs are countered by the activity of the histone deacetylases. This delicate balance has been documented to maintain the cellular homeostasis. HDACs seem to play dual opposing roles in disease manifestation. Dysfunctioning of HDACs are involved in several cancers. In some cases HDACs... 

Richards, E.J. and Elgin, S.C.R. (2002) Epigenetic codes for heterochromatin formation and silencing rounding up the usual suspects. Cell 108, 489-500. 

Turner, B.M. (2007) Defining an epigenetic code. Nature Cell Biologf, 9 (1), 2-6. 

M ethylation of Lys and Arg residues of histones has been identified as another tool for modification of histone structure and for regulation of transcriptional activity. The methylation of lysine residues of histones is an example of an epigenetic code that is used to establish transcriptionally inactive states both in heterochromatin and in euchromatin.The best characterized example is histone H3, which is found to be methylated at K4, K9 and K20. These methylations have a differential effect on transcriptional activity. 

Kauffman, S. A. (1977). Chemical patterns, compartments, and a binary epigenetic code in Drosophila. American Zoologist, Vol.l7, pp. 631-648. 

Recently, epigenetic changes after SM poisoning were proposed to account for late effects. Perturbation of the epigenetic code may explain the longterm effects, which cannot be explained by SM-induced mutations alone. 

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