Final answer:
Histone acetylation adds acetyl groups to histone proteins, resulting in a less positive charge and looser DNA wrapping. This allows transcription factors to access the DNA, leading to gene expression. This is a key aspect of epigenetic regulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of histone acetylation involves the addition of acetyl groups to histone proteins. This chemical modification reduces the positive charge on histones, causing the DNA to wrap less tightly around them.
As a result of this looser packing of nucleosomes, transcription factors can more easily access the DNA, facilitating the expression of genes.
Changes in histone acetylation are a form of epigenetic regulation, which does not change the DNA sequence but can affect gene expression and the overall chromatin structure.