The function of histone modifications in mitosis

For productive division, cells must accurately segregate their chromosomes and pass lineage-specific gene expression patterns to their daughters. These events involve the recruitment to chromatin of proteins required for chromosome segregation, the displacement of transcription factors to downregulate or reprogram transcription, and the retention of specific bookmarks that allow memory of the transcription program to be inherited through mitosis. Histone modifications, which regulate the association and dissociation of mitotic regulators and transcription factors from chromosomes, are critical for these events. Professor Higgins will address fundamental questions that remain about these mechanisms of regulation during cell division.