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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
11:04
A Cell Free Assay to Study Chromatin Decondensation at the End of Mitosis
Published on: December 19, 2015
Morphometric and functional study of apoptotic cell chromatin.
Cell Death and Differentiation
|October 1, 1996
Summary
During apoptosis, inactive chromatin forms dense patches, while active nucleosomes cluster with nuclear pores. This suggests potential residual nuclear activity even as the cell undergoes programmed cell death.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Apoptosis involves significant nuclear morphological changes, including chromatin condensation.
- Nuclear pores redistribute during apoptosis, clustering around diffuse chromatin areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphometric and functional organization of chromatin in apoptotic cell nuclei.
- To analyze the relationship between chromatin structure and nuclear pore distribution during apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Morphometric analysis of freeze-fractured apoptotic cell nuclei.
- Identification and characterization of different chromatin areas (dense and diffuse).
Main Results:
- Inactive chromatin identified as dense, cap-shaped aggregations.
- Nucleosomic fiber domains found in diffuse chromatin areas.
- Demonstrated correlation between nucleosomic fiber/diffuse chromatin domains and nuclear pore clusters.
Conclusions:
- Apoptotic chromatin exhibits distinct morphometric and functional organization.
- The observed correlation suggests potential residual nuclear activity in specific chromatin domains during apoptosis.
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