Uncovering Combinatorial Interactions in Chromatin

Abstract

The DNA in our bodies is wrapped around octamers of histone proteins to form nucleosomes. This structural organization facilitates packaging of the entire genome into a single nucleus but is also a platform for post-translational modifications which have functional roles within the cell. Over the last few years, modifications of histone residues have been identified and potential roles of individual modifications in processes such as DNA repair, replication and gene transcription have been uncovered. However, we know much less about the combinatorial action of the individual marks and how one modification impacts on the function of another. Recent developments in quantitative proteomics methodology and increasing amounts of genomic data generated using high-throughput techniques are allowing insights into how multiple modifications are interpreted by the cell.

KEYWORDS::

• bioinformatics
• chromatin modifications
• crosstalk
• machine learning
• mass spectrometry
• proteomics

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Work in the Wood laboratory is supported by the British Heart Foundation. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

Work in the Wood laboratory is supported by the British Heart Foundation. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.