Characterization of yeast histone H3-specific type B histone acetyltransferases identifies an <Emphasis Type="Italic">ADA2</Emphasis>-independent Gcn5p activity

Background  

The acetylation of the core histone NH₂-terminal tails is catalyzed by histone acetyltransferases. Histone acetyltransferases can be classified into two distinct groups (type A and B) on the basis of cellular localization and substrate specificity. Type B histone acetyltransferases, originally defined as cytoplasmic enzymes that acetylate free histones, have been proposed to play a role in the assembly of chromatin through the acetylation of newly synthesized histones H3 and H4. To date, the only type B histone acetyltransferase activities identified are specific for histone H4.