
DNA methylation
Histone post-translational modifications
microRNAs

Histones can be chemically modified by different enzymes. The most studied post-translational modifications (PTMs) are acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, although there are many others. These PTMs set the basis of the “Histone code” in which specific PTMs can change the expression pattern of some genes by modifying the structure of chromatin, activating or silencing these genes.
It is postulated that alterations in the patterns of histone PTMs deregulate chromatin compaction, which ultimately leads to oncogenic transformation and development of cancer. In fact, aberrant patterns of PTM have been found histones in a large number of tumors. Moreover, specific PTMs of the histone code has been also related with neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative processes.
In EpiDisease we are experts analyzing histone PTMs by mass spectrometry and immunological techniques in different types of biological samples.
