Final answer:
Acetylation reduces the interaction between histones and DNA, leading to increased gene expression, while deacetylation strengthens this interaction, resulting in decreased gene expression. Histone acetyltransferases (HATs) are responsible for acetylation, and histone deacetylases (HDACs) for deacetylation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The regulation of gene expression can be influenced by various epigenetic mechanisms including acetylation and deacetylation. The process of acetylation results in the addition of acetyl groups to histone proteins, which decreases the positive charge on histones and reduces the attraction between histones and DNA. This loosening of the nucleosomes allows transcription factors to access the DNA and thereby increases gene expression.
On the other hand, deacetylation removes the acetyl groups, increasing the positive charge of histones, which strengthens the interaction between histones and DNA. This leads to a more compact chromatin structure that impedes the access of transcriptional machinery to DNA and decreases gene expression. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are enzymes that perform deacetylation, while histone acetyltransferases (HATs) acetylate histone proteins. Chromatin remodeling complexes also play a role in modifying chromatin structure and thereby influencing gene expression.