In the intact cell, DNA closely associates with histones and other nuclear proteins to form chromatin. The remodeling of chromatin is believed to be a critical component of transcriptional regulation and a major source of this remodeling is brought about by the acetylation of nucleosomal histones. Acetylation of lysine residues in the amino terminal tail domain of histone results in an allosteric change in the nucleosomal conformation and an increased accessibility to transcription factors by DNA. Conversely, the deacetylation of histones is associated with transcriptional silencing. Several mammalian proteins have been identified as nuclear histone acetylases, including GCN5, PCAF (p300/CBP-associated factor), p300/CBP, HAT1, and the TFIID subunit TAF II p250. Mammalian HDAC7 is a histone deacetylase that interacts with the adaptor mSin3A. The interaction of HDAC7 with mSin3A suggests the association of multiple repression complexes of transcription factors.
