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Related Concept Videos

Chromatin Packaging02:21

Chromatin Packaging

Each human somatic cell contains 6 billion base-pairs of DNA. Each base-pair is 0.34 nm long, which means that each diploid cell contains a staggering 2 meters of DNA. How is such a long DNA strand packed inside a nucleus measuring only 10 - 20 microns in diameter? 
The chromatin
In combination with specialized DNA binding protein called Histones, the DNA double helix forms a compact DNA: protein complex called chromatin. The chromatin itself is further compacted into higher-order structures.
Chromatin Packaging01:32

Chromatin Packaging

Each human somatic cell contains 6 billion base pairs of DNA. Each base pair is 0.34 nm long, meaning each diploid cell contains a staggering 2 meters of DNA. This long DNA strand is packed inside a nucleus measuring only 10-20 microns in diameter with the help of specialized DNA-binding proteins called histones. Together they form a compact DNA-protein complex called chromatin. The chromatin is further compacted into higher-order structures. The highest level of compaction is achieved during...
Chromatin Packaging02:21

Chromatin Packaging

Each human somatic cell contains 6 billion base-pairs of DNA. Each base-pair is 0.34 nm long, which means that each diploid cell contains a staggering 2 meters of DNA. How is such a long DNA strand packed inside a nucleus measuring only 10 - 20 microns in diameter? 
The chromatin
In combination with specialized DNA binding protein called Histones, the DNA double helix forms a compact DNA: protein complex called chromatin. The chromatin itself is further compacted into higher-order structures.
The Nucleosome02:33

The Nucleosome

DNA in a human cell is almost 2m long and it is packed inside a tiny nucleus that is only a few microns in diameter. The level of compaction of DNA inside the nucleus is astonishing. It is organized into several sequentially higher levels of compaction to fit into such a tiny space. The most compact form of DNA is a chromosome that can be seen under a microscope in a dividing cell.
DNA is wound twice around a protein complex called histone core, that consist of 8 histone proteins. This complex...
The Nucleosome01:19

The Nucleosome

Human DNA is almost two meters long. However, it is compressed inside a tiny nucleus measuring only a few microns in diameter. To make this degree of compaction possible, DNA is organized into several sequential levels so that it can fit into such a tiny space. The most compact form of DNA is a chromosome that can be seen under a microscope in a dividing cell.
In a chromosome, DNA is wound twice around a protein complex called a histone octamer core, which consists of 8 histone proteins. This...
The Nucleosome02:33

The Nucleosome

DNA in a human cell is almost 2m long and it is packed inside a tiny nucleus that is only a few microns in diameter. The level of compaction of DNA inside the nucleus is astonishing. It is organized into several sequentially higher levels of compaction to fit into such a tiny space. The most compact form of DNA is a chromosome that can be seen under a microscope in a dividing cell.
DNA is wound twice around a protein complex called histone core, that consist of 8 histone proteins. This complex...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Assembly of Nucleosomal Arrays from Recombinant Core Histones and Nucleosome Positioning DNA
10:40

Assembly of Nucleosomal Arrays from Recombinant Core Histones and Nucleosome Positioning DNA

Published on: September 10, 2013

Nucleosome shape dictates chromatin fiber structure.

Martin Depken1, Helmut Schiessel

  • 1Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Dresden, Germany; Instituut-Lorentz for Theoretical Physics, Universiteit Leiden, Leiden, The Netherlands. depken@pks.mpg.de

Biophysical Journal
|February 3, 2009
PubMed
Summary

This study characterizes possible dense chromatin fiber structures, revealing a geometric criterion based on nucleosome shape to predict fiber characteristics and understand epigenetic regulation.

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Assembly of Nucleosomal Arrays from Recombinant Core Histones and Nucleosome Positioning DNA
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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Chromatin serves as the eukaryotic genome's gateway and epigenetic code carrier.
  • While chromatin's biochemical code is known, its mediating fiber structures remain poorly understood.
  • Existing chromatin fiber models fail to predict basic fiber characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize all possible dense chromatin fiber structures.
  • To identify structure-dependent and independent fiber characteristics for experimental guidance.
  • To propose a predictive model for chromatin fiber characteristics based on nucleosome geometry.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic characterization of dense fiber structures.
  • Geometric analysis of nucleosome shape and its impact on fiber formation.
  • Correlation of structural models with observed chromatin fiber properties.

Main Results:

  • A comprehensive set of dense chromatin fiber models was characterized.
  • A simple geometric criterion based on nucleosome shape predicts condensed chromatin fiber characteristics.
  • The model successfully predicts changes with varying nucleosome repeat length and accommodates linker length heterogeneity.

Conclusions:

  • Nucleosome shape is a key determinant of chromatin fiber structure and function.
  • The proposed geometric criterion offers predictive power for chromatin fiber characteristics.
  • This work provides insights into chromatin's role in epigenetic regulation and in vivo heterogeneity.