Spermine-induced aggregation of DNA, nucleosome, and chromatin

We have analyzed the conditions of aggregation or precipitation of DNA in four different states: double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), mononucleosome core particles (NCP), and H1-depleted chromatin fragments (ChF) in the presence of the multivalent cation spermine (4+). In an intermediate regime of DNA concentration, these conditions are identical for the four states. This result demonstrates that the mechanism involved is general from flexible chains to rigid rods and quasi-colloidal states. It is dominated by local electrostatic attractions that are considered, for instance, by the "ion-bridging" model. The onset of precipitation does not require the electroneutrality of the DNA chains. Above a given spermine concentration dsDNA aggregates remain neutral, whereas NCP aggregates turn positively charged. The difference is thought to originate from the extension of the positively charged proteic tails of the NCP. This suggests that local fluctuations of polyamine concentrations can induce either positively or negatively charged chromatin domains.