Fig. 1
From: Epigenetics in ovarian cancer: premise, properties, and perspectives
A schematic mechanism of histone acetylation and methylation. The balance of histone acetylation and methylation is respectively controlled by histone acetyltransferases-deacetylases and histone methyltransferases-demethylases. Acetylation of histone tails is associated with a relaxed chromatin structure and transcriptional activation. Conversely, methylation of histone tails is linked with a condensed chromatin structure and transcriptional suppression. Disruption of the steady state of histone acetylation and methylation may cause abnormal cellular function, possibly even ovarian cancer