Acetylation of Histones

Definition

This is a process where an acetyl group is added to a histone protein, which can loosen the DNA wrapped around it and promote gene expression.

Related terms

Histone Modification: The process by which certain chemical groups are added or removed from histones, affecting their interaction with DNA and ultimately gene expression.

Chromatin Remodeling: The dynamic modification of chromatin architecture allowing access of condensed genomic DNA to the regulatory transcription machinery proteins, thereby controlling gene expression.

Epigenetics:

The study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself.