Question

Predict how acetylation of histones will change accessibility of DNA.

(Please provide a different explanation that the one already on Chegg).

Thank you!

Answer 1

Solution:

Acetylation is a chemical reaction that introduces an acetyl functional group (-COCH3) into a chemical compound.

During the acetylation of the histone, acetyl groups are attached to lysines in histone tails, hence their positive charges are completely neutralized and histone tails are not able to bind with neighboring molecules.

Acetylation of histones alters the accessibility of chromatin which further allows DNA binding proteins to interact with exposed sites to activate the gene transcription and reduces cellular functions.