Do acetylation and methylation count as Transcription Factors?

Answer 1

Hey Geoffrey!

Acetylation and methylation (in the context of DNA) are best categorized as post-translational modifications to histone proteins. By definition, transcription factors are always proteins themselves, so adding acetyl and methyl groups does not count as a transcription factor.

However, even with this categorization difference, there is definitely a common thread between acetylation/methylation and transcription factors in that both can affect gene expression. Both methylation and de-acetylation will suppress gene transcription, much in the same way that a transcription factor can suppress gene transcription. Hope this helps!