Histone methylation is a reversible process by which methyl groups are covalently added to histones. It plays a critical role in regulating gene expression, as it can alter the accessibility of DNA to the cellular machinery that reads and interprets it.
Types of Histone Methylation
There are several different types of histone methylation, including:
Lysine Methylation
Lysine methylation can occur at various positions on the histone protein and can have different effects on gene expression depending on the specific position and the number of methyl groups added.
Arginine Methylation
Arginine methylation can affect the ability of transcription factors to bind to DNA and can also influence the way that chromatin is folded.
Disruptions in histone methylation have been linked to various diseases, including cancer. Quantifying histone methylation can help researchers understand the relationship between histone methylation and gene expression, as well as the role that histone methylation plays in various diseases and conditions.