Acetylation of Histones H3 and H4 - (May/05/2005 )

Hyperacetylation of histone h3 and h4 was observed in my experiment. However, to make sure it was really due to post-translational modifications instead of a change of the total amount of histones. besides western blot with anti-histone h3 and anti-histone h4, are theere any other methods to make such confirmation? Thanks

Samantha

Hi Samantha,

By hyperactylation of H3 and H4, you mean global hyperactylation, right? What is the purpose of your study? have you tried studying gene-specific changes using ChIP assay? When there is a change in ChIP assay, usually it is interpreted as caused by post-translational modification.

To be simple, I would like to ask if there are any methods to detect or measure the level or activity of total histone h3 (acetylated histone h3+non-acetylated histone h3) and total histone h4 (non-acetylated histone+ acetylated h4)? Thanks

Samantha

I am sure there are antibodies to H3 and H4 that do not bind to the tails and thus will detect TOTAL amount of histones and of course there are specific histone modification antibodies which you could then use and quantitate the differences.

good luck!

Nick