English: The epigenome represents a major regulatory interface to the eukaryotic genome. Nucleosome positions, histone variants, histone modifications and chromatin associated proteins all play a role in the epigenetic regulation of DNA function. Trypanosomes, an ancient branch of the eukaryotic evolutionary lineage, exhibit some highly unusual transcriptional features, including the arrangement of functionally unrelated genes in large, polymerase II transcribed polycistronic transcription units, often exceeding hundreds of kb in size. It is generally believed that transcription initiation plays a minor role in regulating the transcript level of genes in trypanosomes, which are mainly regulated posttranscriptionally. Recent advances have revealed that epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in the transcriptional regulation of Trypanosoma brucei. This suggested that the regulation of gene activity is, indeed, an important control mechanism, and that the epigenome is critical in regulating gene expression programs that allow the successful migration of this parasite between hosts, as well as the continuous evasion of the immune system in mammalian hosts. A wide range of epigenetic signals, readers, writers and erasers have been identified in trypanosomes, some of which have been observed to be unique to trypanosomes. We review recent advances in our understanding of epigenetic control mechanisms in T. brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness, and discuss the possible role that these mechanisms may play in the life cycle of the parasite., Afrikaans: Trypanosoma brucei is 'n ekstrasellulere parasiet van die soogdier bloedstroom wat Afrika slaapsiekte veroorsaak in die mens. Trypanosome is 'n antieke tak van die eukariotiese evolusionêre boom en toon hoogs ongewone transkripsionele einskappe. Dit sluit in die organiseering van die funksioneel onverwante gene in groot, pol II getranskripteerde polysistroniese transkripsie eenhede (PTE), dikwels meer as honderde kb in grootte, sowel as die transkripsie van proteïen koderende gene deur pol I. Daar is tot dusver geen tipiese pol II promotors geïdentifiseer nie. Transkripsie begin en eind posisies is getoon om verryk te wees met ruim epigenetiese merkers, soos histoon na-translationele modifikasies (NTM) en variante. Onlangse ontwikkelings het 'n wye verskeidenheid van epigenetiese seine, lesers, skrywers en uitveërs in trypanosome aan die lig gebring, waarvan sommige uniek is. Die epigenoom verteenwoordig 'n groot regulerende koppelvlak tot die eukariotiese genoom. Nucleosoom posisies, histoon variante, histoon veranderinge en chromatien geassosieer proteïene speel almal 'n rol in die epigenetiese regulering van DNA funksie. Epigenetiese merke word dikwels geassosieer met nukleosome, die basiese strukturele eenheid van chromatien. Die opdraai van 168 bp DNA in twee negatiewe superspoelle rondom 'n histoon oktameer oppervlak fasiliteer die kompaktering van die poli-anioniese DNA molekules tot 'n vlak waar dit kan inpas in die sel kern. Nukleosome dien ook as 'n dinamiese binding oppervlak vir proteïene betrokke in geenregulering en transkripsionele beheer. Genoom-wye kaarte van die nucleosoom organisasie in model organismes toon 'n gemeenskaplike organiseering van nukleosome rondom spesifieke genomiese elemente, en het waardevolle inligting oor die nucleosoom bemiddelde geenregulering verskaf. In hierdie studie het ons 'n kaart van nukleosome van die mega-chromosome in beide procycliese en bloedstroom vorm T. brucei saamgestel. Dit is bereik deur die MNase, National Research Foundation, RSA, National Institutes of Health, USA