Epigenetic regulators and histone modification

Epigenetic inheritance is a key element in the adaptation of organisms to a rapidly changing environment without stably changing their DNA sequence. The necessary changes in its gene expression profiles are frequently associated with variations in chromatin structure. The conformation of chromatin is profoundly influenced by the post-translational modification of the histone proteins, the incorporation of histone variants, the activity of nucleosome remodelling factors and the association of non-histone chromatin proteins. Although the hierarchy of these factors is still not fully understood, genetic experiments suggest that histone-modifying enzymes play a major causal role in setting up a particular chromatin structure. In this article, the recent progress that was made to understand the molecular mechanisms of the targeting and regulation of histone modifiers and its implication for epigenetic inheritance are reviewed.