ROLE OF HISTONE MODIFICATIONS IN DNA DAMAGE RESPONSE IN MAMMALS

After DNA damage a signal must be created to recruit DNA repair factors to the lesion. Then the repair machinery needs to gain access to DNA and chromatin should be properly reassembled. DNA assembly with histones to form chromatin creates a physically limits the access to DNA. Alterations of chromatin that do not affect the DNA sequence constitute the epigenetic level of regulation of DNA metabolism.