Transcriptional regulation by the acetylation of nonhistone proteins in humans -- a new target for therapeutics.

Gene expression from the dynamic chromatin template is regulated by certain key cellular players that cause post-translational modifications of both histones and nonhistone proteins. The acetyltransferases and deacetylases are two such key groups of enzymes that play crucial roles in maintaining the reversible acetylation status of histones and nonhistone proteins. Emerging evidence suggests that acetylation of nonhistone protein is equally important in the transcription regulation as the histone acetylation. Since dysfunction of HATs and HDACs leads to several diseases, aberrant acetylation of nonhistone protein is also associated with diseases. Small molecule modulators of these enzymes, which may help in maintaining the normal cellular acetylation status of these proteins, have important therapeutic implications.