Histone Code

<p>The <b>histone code</b> is a hypothesis that the transcription of genetic information encoded in DNA is in part regulated by chemical modifications to histone proteins, primarily on their unstructured ends. Together with similar modifications such as DNA methylation it is part of the epigenetic code. Histones associate with DNA to form nucleosomes, which themselves bundle to form chromatin fibers, which in turn make up the more familiar chromosome. &#160;

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The <b>histone code hypothesis</b> predicts that the post-translational modifications of histones, alone or in combination, function to direct specific and distinct DNA-templated programs. &#160;The <b>histone code</b> is a hypothesis that the transcription of genetic information encoded in DNA is in part regulated by chemical modifications to histone proteins, primarily on their unstructured ends. Together with similar modifications such as DNA methylation it is part of the epigenetic code.</p>