It takes a PHD to read the histone code.
The pattern of histone modifications, called the histone code, influences transitions between chromatin states and the regulation of transcriptional activity. Four recent papers describe how plant homeodomain (PHD) finger proteins read part of this code. The PHD finger may promote both gene expression and repression through interactions with trimethylated lysine 4 on histone 3 (H3K4), a universal modification at the beginning of active genes.
Mellor
Jane
J
Department of Biochemistry, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK. jane.mellor@bioch.ox.ac.uk
D002843:Chromatin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D006657:Histones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000235:genetics; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics
D002843:Chromatin; D006657:Histones; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D010940:Plant Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins