Characterization of human epigenomes.
Histone modifications play a key role in regulating transcription and thus ultimately regulate cellular development and differentiation. To understand how histone modifications influence normal development and disease states, a global catalogue of histone modifications and modifying enzymes in normal and disease states is necessary. The first such systematic mapping experiments using the recently developed ChIP-Sequencing technique have revealed a combinatorial modification 'backbone' consisting of multiple histone modifications associated with active transcription. The human epigenomic datasets that are now being produced provide valuable resources for a better understanding of the functional regulatory elements of transcription and the pathways necessary for normal cellular development and pathological conditions.
Wang
Zhibin
Z
Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Schones
Dustin E
DE
Zhao
Keji
K
D000107:Acetylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods*; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008239:Lysine / Q000378:metabolism; D008745:Methylation; D008954:Models, Biological
D006657:Histones; D008239:Lysine