Network-like properties of chromatin: Implications for basic science and opportunities for clinical application.

Abstract

Common principles underlie cellular signaling networks and chromatin. For example, post-translational modifications of receptor tyrosine kinases and histone proteins both create docking sites that recruit downstream proteins. In each case, multiple modifications combine to promote switch-like behavior and ensure robustness of the signal. These network-like properties provide insight into heterochromatin propagation and epigenetic memory, and have implications for drug discovery.