Chromatin Structure Flashcards
histone proteins
H1, H2A, H2B, H3, H4
H1
linker protein
non-histone proteins
proteins that regulate transcription, telomere stability, mitotic condensation, etc.
chromatin
DNA + proteins
nucleasome
DNA wrapped around histone core proteins
chromatosome
nucleosome + H1 histone
nuclease
digests linker DNA
mechanisms of changes in chromatin structure
ATP-driven chromatin remodeling machines, covalent modifications of histone tails, histone variants
ATP-driven chromatin remodeling
pushes nucleosome so some parts of DNA will become less compacted which exposes regulatory sequences for TF binding –> opens up DNA (euchromatin)
examples of ATP-dependent mechanisms
removing H2A-H2B dimers from nucleosome or replacing H2A-H2B dimer with a variant
methylation can _
activate or repress but usually represses
acetylation can _
only activate
heterochromatin is often associated with _
tri-methylation (H3K9)
consequences of acetylation
neutralizes plus charge on lysines, eliminates interaction with DNA phosphate groups, reduces affinity of entire nucleosome for DNA to open chromatin
HDAC inhibitors
inhibit histone deacetylases and are possible source of cancer treatment