Histone deacetylases govern heterochromatin in every phase.
EMBO J 32 17, 2321–2325 doi:; DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2013.143; published online June 14 2013 Deacetylation of histone tails has been shown to play a role during heterochromatin formation, but the precise mechanism of action has not been understood. Complementary results presented in two recent articles in  The EMBO Journal  (Alper et al, 2013; Buscaino et al, 2013) together reveal how histone deacetylases (HDACs) affect the various phases of heterochromatin formation: establishment, maintenance and spreading.
Murakami Y