Despite its similarity to other acetylating enzymes, it catalyses exclusively the tubulin acetylation reaction. It does so by acetylating the hydroxyl of a serine residue. CAP/p300 open transcriptional start site chromatin by acetylating histones. KAT5 enzyme is known for acetylating histones in the nucleosome, which alters binding with DNA. Acetic anhydride is commonly used as an acetylating agent reacting with free hydroxyl groups. Triacetate is derived from cellulose by "acetylating" cellulose with acetic acid and/or acetic anhydride.