histone methylation
Quick Summary
Histone methylation is a type of epigenetic regulation that affects gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence. Histones are proteins that help organize DNA into chromatin within the cell nucleus. Chemical modifications, including methylation, are added to histones by specialized enzymes. This process can either activate or repress gene expression. In biological contexts, protein methylation can occur on amino acids like lysine or arginine, and histone methyltransferase enzymes transfer methyl groups to histones, influencing gene activity. This mechanism is crucial for controlling gene expression and plays a role in embryonic development and tumor formation.123
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