Effect of Acetylation of Histone H4 on Communication in Chromatin

Long-distance interaction plays an important role in the regulation of eukaryotic genes. Chromatin structure is involved in the process, but the role of histone modifications has not been studied. In the present work, the role of acetylation Н4K16 (Н4K16-Ac) to enhancer-promoter communication (EPC) was analyzed. This modification is associated with euchromatin and is involved in the decompaction of chromatin fibers. We have shown that the effect of H4K16-Ac on EPC in vitro depends on the level of chromatin assembly. EPC in chromatin, which lacks nucleosomes at random positions on DNA, is inhibited in the presence of H4K16-Aс. At the same time, EPC in chromatin, in which nucleosomes occupy all available positions on DNA, is somewhat stimulated in the presence of H4K16-Aс.