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Histone Modification

Meaning

Histone modification refers to the covalent post-translational changes, such as acetylation, methylation, or phosphorylation, made to the histone proteins around which DNA is wrapped to form chromatin. These modifications act as an epigenetic code, altering the accessibility of DNA to transcription machinery without changing the underlying genetic sequence. This dynamic process is a crucial regulator of gene expression, influencing which hormonal signals can effectively activate or repress specific genes.