CRC 740/3: Acetylation of Lysine 16 on Histone H4 as a Dynamic Epigenetic Mark During Transcription and Replication (SP A07)

Chromatin packaging of DNA ensures proper compaction and organization of the genetic material in the eukaryotic nucleus, but at the same time restricts its accessibility to DNA regulatory processes like transcription, replication and DNA repair. One principle way of altering chromatin function is by posttranslational modification of the histones that make up the nucleosomes. One such modification, the acetylation of lysine 16 of histone H4 (H4 K16Ac), will be the focus of this study, because it conveys special properties to chromatin in that it inhibits heterochromatin formation by altering the compaction of the chromatin fibre and by counteracting the binding of the repressive silent information regulator (SIR) complex in yeast.