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Reading signals on the nucleosome with a new nomenclature for modified histones

The tails of the four core histones are exposed on the nucleosome surface, where they are subject to a variety of enzyme-catalyzed, post-translational modifications. Modifications, singly or in combination, provide a source of information that can be used for signal transduction during ongoing processes, such as transcription, or as heritable epigenetic marks. A nomenclature is presented that allows patterns of histone modification to be clearly and unambiguously specified and that should facilitate discussion of their functional roles.

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Figure 1: Histone modifications on the nucleosome core particle.
Figure 2: Some alternative modifications to lysine and arginine residues.

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Acknowledgements

The nomenclature set out here was devised following the first meeting of the Epigenome Network of Excellence (NoE), at the Mendel Abbey in Brno, Czech Republic. For this reason, it can be referred to as the Brno nomenclature. Epigenome is a consortium of 25 research groups across Europe, plus associated members and NET teams, working in epigenetic research and funded by the European Union. The network is coordinated and directed by T. Jenuwein (Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna). The nomenclature presented here was finalized following wide discussions after the meeting, including consultations with the seven members of our scientific advisory board, all from the United States. I am grateful to all those who took part for their helpful, constructive and insightful comments, but particularly to P. Becker and A. Peters for a crucial early suggestion. Details of the network and its members are available at http://www.epigenome-noe.net/.

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Turner, B. Reading signals on the nucleosome with a new nomenclature for modified histones. Nat Struct Mol Biol 12, 110–112 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/nsmb0205-110

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