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.
