Regulation of gene expression by transcription factor acetylation

In the nucleus, DNA is tightly packaged into higher-order structures, gener ating an environment that is highly repressive towards DNA processes such a s gene transcription. Acetylation of lysine residues within proteins has re cently emerged as a major mechanism used by the cell to overcome this repre ssion. Acetylation of non-histone proteins. including transcription factors , as well as histones, appears to be involved in this process. Like phospho rylation, acetylation is a dynamic process that can regulate protein-DNA an d protein-protein interactions. Moreover, a conserved domain, the bromodoma in, has been implicated in the binding of acetylated peptides, suggesting a role fur acetylation in intracellular signalling.