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What are the differences between DNA methylation and histone acetylation?
Posted February 7, 2023
Answer
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 |