Methyl Lysine

"Methyl lysine" refers to a chemical modification in which methyl groups are added to lysine amino acid residues within proteins. This modification is a crucial part of epigenetic regulation, playing a significant role in controlling gene expression and chromatin structure. In the context of histone proteins, which are central components of chromatin, methyl lysine modifications can have diverse effects on gene activation and repression. These modifications are added and removed by enzymes and contribute to the intricate regulatory mechanisms that govern how genes are turned on or off in response to cellular signals.