How Do Histone Modifications Affect Gene Expression?
Histone modifications can either promote or repress gene expression. For example, histone acetylation generally leads to an open chromatin structure, facilitating transcriptional activation. Conversely, histone methylation can have varied effects depending on the specific residues being modified; it can either activate or repress gene expression. These modifications form a complex "histone code" that regulates the transcriptional landscape of cells.