Centromeric chromatin makes its mark

Elaine Dunleavy1, Alison Pidoux, Robin Allshire

  • 1Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, UK.

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Heterochromatin02:38

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Euchromatin01:01

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The extent of chromatin compaction can be studied by staining chromatin using specific DNA binding dyes. Under the microscope, the dense-compacted regions take up more dye, appearing darker, while the less-compact areas take up less dye and appear lighter. Based on the compaction level, chromatins are classified into two primary forms – euchromatin and heterochromatin.
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