How Does Histone Acetylation Impact Gene Expression?
Histone acetylation alters the interaction between histones and DNA. Acetylation neutralizes the positive charge on histones, reducing their affinity for the negatively charged DNA. This relaxation of chromatin structure allows transcription factors and RNA polymerase to access DNA, thereby promoting gene expression. Dysregulation of this balance can lead to aberrant gene expression, which is a hallmark of cancer.
