Introduction: Histone modifying enzymes (HMEs)-catalyzed histone modifications are important epigenetic markers that play critical roles in the regulation of a variety of cellular functions, especially the regulation of gene expression. The aberrant histone modifying enzyme activity and the abnormal histone modification level are closely associated with various human diseases including cancers, making them become the promising and attractive disease biomarkers. Consequently, the development of efficient assays for accurate and sensitive detection of histone modifications and HMEs are crucial for disease diagnosis. Areas covered: In this review, we summarize the advances in histone modifications and HMEs assays in recent 5 years (2013-2018), including the development of various methods based on fluorescent, bioluminescent, colorimetric, electrochemical, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, and mass spectrometry strategies. Their principles and applications for in vitro and in vivo assays are reviewed, and the future directions are discussed as well. Expert commentary: In comparison with the conventional radioactive and Western blot assays, the newly developed histone modifications and HMEs assays exhibit distinct advantages. Especially, the introduction of novel nanomaterials and advanced analytical techniques in recent years has greatly improved the assay performances, promoting their further applications in biomedical research and clinical diagnosis.
Keywords: Assay development; biomarker; disease diagnosis; histone modification; histone modifying enzyme.