Biomaterial Database

Acetylation of histone H4 and its role in chromatin structure and function. 1980

S S Chahal, and H R Matthews, and E M Bradbury

Histone h4 is a highly conserved structural component of the nucleosome subunit of chromatin. The activation of chromatin is accompanied by changes in structure which may be caused by histone modification or by interactions of specific non-histone proteins, or both. Histone H4 can be modified by acetylation and this modification has been correlated with chromosome assembly and with transcription. We have now tested these correlations by studying H4 acetate content as a function of the cell cycle using the naturally synchronous cell cycle in Physarum polycephalum. The results show two clear correlations: (1) tetra-acetylated H4 correlates with transcription; (2) highly acetylated H4 (2 to 4 acetates per molecule) is inversely correlated with H1 phosphorylation and initiation of chromosome condensation in prophase. The results are consistent with turnover of di-acetylated H4 during chromosome assembly in S phase.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009707	Nucleosomes	The repeating structural units of chromatin, each consisting of approximately 200 base pairs of DNA wound around a protein core. This core is composed of the histones H2A, H2B, H3, and H4.	Dinucleosomes,Polynucleosomes,Dinucleosome,Nucleosome,Polynucleosome
D010804	Physarum	A genus of protozoa, formerly also considered a fungus. Characteristics include the presence of violet to brown spores.	Physarums
D011418	Prophase	The first phase of cell nucleus division, in which the CHROMOSOMES become visible, the CELL NUCLEUS starts to lose its identity, the SPINDLE APPARATUS appears, and the CENTRIOLES migrate toward opposite poles.	Prophases
D002453	Cell Cycle	The complex series of phenomena, occurring between the end of one CELL DIVISION and the end of the next, by which cellular material is duplicated and then divided between two daughter cells. The cell cycle includes INTERPHASE, which includes G0 PHASE; G1 PHASE; S PHASE; and G2 PHASE, and CELL DIVISION PHASE.	Cell Division Cycle,Cell Cycles,Cell Division Cycles,Cycle, Cell,Cycle, Cell Division,Cycles, Cell,Cycles, Cell Division,Division Cycle, Cell,Division Cycles, Cell
D002843	Chromatin	The material of CHROMOSOMES. It is a complex of DNA; HISTONES; and nonhistone proteins (CHROMOSOMAL PROTEINS, NON-HISTONE) found within the nucleus of a cell.	Chromatins
D002868	Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone	Nucleoproteins, which in contrast to HISTONES, are acid insoluble. They are involved in chromosomal functions; e.g. they bind selectively to DNA, stimulate transcription resulting in tissue-specific RNA synthesis and undergo specific changes in response to various hormones or phytomitogens.	Non-Histone Chromosomal Proteins,Chromosomal Proteins, Non Histone,Chromosomal Proteins, Nonhistone,Non-Histone Chromosomal Phosphoproteins,Chromosomal Phosphoproteins, Non-Histone,Non Histone Chromosomal Phosphoproteins,Non Histone Chromosomal Proteins,Nonhistone Chromosomal Proteins,Proteins, Non-Histone Chromosomal
D004261	DNA Replication	The process by which a DNA molecule is duplicated.	Autonomous Replication,Replication, Autonomous,Autonomous Replications,DNA Replications,Replication, DNA,Replications, Autonomous,Replications, DNA
D006657	Histones	Small chromosomal proteins (approx 12-20 kD) possessing an open, unfolded structure and attached to the DNA in cell nuclei by ionic linkages. Classification into the various types (designated histone I, histone II, etc.) is based on the relative amounts of arginine and lysine in each.	Histone,Histone H1,Histone H1(s),Histone H2a,Histone H2b,Histone H3,Histone H3.3,Histone H4,Histone H5,Histone H7
D000107	Acetylation	Formation of an acetyl derivative. (Stedman, 25th ed)	Acetylations
D014158	Transcription, Genetic	The biosynthesis of RNA carried out on a template of DNA. The biosynthesis of DNA from an RNA template is called REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION.	Genetic Transcription