What are the differences between DNA methylation and histone acetylation?
Posted February 7, 2023
Basis of differentiation |
DNA methylation |
Histone acetylation |
Definition |
DNA methylation is the epigenetic modification where DNA bases become modified to methylated bases with the assistance of methyl transferase |
Histone acetylation is the epigenetic modification where specific residues of the histone proteins are acetylated with the assistance of acetyl transferases |
Occurrence |
Occurs in DNA |
Occurs in selected amino acid residues of histone proteins |
Result |
Results in methylation or hyperpigmentation of DNA bases, causing the inactivation of genes |
Results in the acetylation of selected amino acid residues leading to chromosome decondensation |
Enzymes involved |
DNA methyl transferase |
Histone acetyl transferase |
Residues |
The cytosine residues get methylated |
The lysine residues get acetylated |
Chemical modification |
Adding the methyl group donated by S-adenosine methionine |
Adding acetyl groups through the acetyl coenzyme A donor |
Transcriptional regulation |
Inhibits or inactivates transcription by silencing genes or inactivating regulatory regions |
Activates or promotes transcription by decondensing DNA to aid in transcription |
Histone acetylation: a switch between repressive and permissive chromatin
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