Measurement of histone acetyltransferase and histone deacetylase activities and kinetics of histone acetylation

Dynamic histone acetylation has a role in chromatin remodeling and in the regulation of transcription. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) and historic acetyltransferases (HATs) catalyze reversible historic acetylation. HATs and HDACs exist as multiprotein complexes that have coactivator and corepressor activities, respectively. The steady-state level of acetylation at a chromatin site is determined by the local net activities of these enzymes. Here we describe methods to isolate different subcellular fractions (cytosol, nuclei, tightly bound nuclear, loosely bound nuclear, immunoprecipitated multiprotein complexes, and nuclear matrix) to determine the subcellular distribution of HAT and HDAC activities. Procedures to assay the activities of these enzymes and to measure the kinetics of historic acetylation and deacetylation are presented. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Science (USA).