Histone acetylation: lessons from the plant kingdom

Post-translational acetylation of core histones is an enigmatic process. Th e identification of histone acetyltransferases and deacetylases as co-regul ators of transcription in yeast and vertebrates has advanced our understand ing of the biological role of histone acetylation and also improved our gen eral insight into the molecular network of gene regulation. Basic features of histone acetylation in plants resemble those of other eukaryotes but the re are differences, which are reflected in novel classes of histone deacety lase. Investigating histone acetylation in higher plants might reveal regul atory pathways distinct from animals, yet of essential importance for gene expression in plants.