What Role Do Histone Acetyltransferases (HATs) Play?
Histone acetyltransferases are enzymes that drive the acetylation of histones. They function by transferring an acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to specific lysine residues on histone tails. This addition of acetyl groups neutralizes the positive charge on lysines, reducing the affinity between histones and the negatively charged DNA. This relaxation permits easier access for transcription machinery, thereby promoting gene expression. HATs can be categorized into several families, such as the GNAT, MYST, and p300/CBP families, each with distinct substrate specificities and regulatory roles.
