Fig. 1

Chromosomal definition by histone modifications. Many molecules, including histone-modifying enzymes, histone variants, and DNA methyltransferases, some of which are depicted here on the left, establish the epigenetic marks and chromatin structure required for chromosomal organization and function. On the right, distinct combinations of histone modifications define chromatin regions including the centromere and pericentromere that organize and stabilize the chromosome as a whole and maintain genetic stability throughout repeated cell divisions