Gene activation by histone and factor acetyltransferases

Persuasive evidence has emerged that acetyltransferases appear to truly fun ction to acetylate both histones and transcription factors in vivo to effec t gene activation. In the cell, acetyltransferases have been identified as components of large, multifunctional and evolutionarily conserved macromole cular assemblies, whose components and structures suggest complex functions . In addition, the first atomic resolution structures of HATs have revealed conserved mechanisms of acetyl-CoA interaction among the superfamily of GN ATs (Gcn5-reated N-acetyltransferases). Finally, enzymatic acetyltransferas e activities are themselves regulated by phosphorylation and interaction wi th other proteins.