A recent report points out that CD8+ T cells deficient in the histone acetyltransferase CBP (Crebbp, CREB-binding protein) (Cd4-Cre), were unable to differentiate into either effector or memory CD8+ T cells in response to infection with L. monocytogenes in mice, suggesting a critical requirement of CBP in conventional effector and memory T cell generation [97]. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is infection.