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Related Concept Videos

Nucleosome Remodeling02:54

Nucleosome Remodeling

Nucleosomes are the basic units of chromatin compaction. Each nucleosome consists of the DNA bound tightly around a histone core, which makes the DNA inaccessible to DNA binding proteins such as DNA polymerase and RNA polymerase. Hence, the fundamental problem is to ensure access to DNA when appropriate, despite the compact and protective chromatin structure.
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Eukaryotic cells have specialized enzymes called ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling enzymes. These enzymes...
The Nucleosome Core Particle02:10

The Nucleosome Core Particle

Nucleosomes are the DNA-histone complex, where the DNA strand is wound around the histone core. The histone core is an octamer containing two copies of H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 histone proteins.
The paradox
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The Nucleosome Core Particle01:12

The Nucleosome Core Particle

Nucleosomes are the DNA-histone complex, where the DNA strand is wound around the histone core. The histone core is an octamer containing two copies of H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 histone proteins.
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Forces Acting on Chromosomes02:11

Forces Acting on Chromosomes

During mitosis, chromosome movements occur through the interplay of multiple piconewton level forces. In prometaphase, these forces help in chromosome assembly or congression at the equatorial plane, eventually leading to their alignment at the metaphase plate. The forces acting on the chromosomes are space and time-dependent; therefore, they vary with the position of the chromosomes as the cell progresses through mitosis. 
Microtubules and motor proteins exert two types of forces on...
Forces Acting on Chromosomes02:11

Forces Acting on Chromosomes

During mitosis, chromosome movements occur through the interplay of multiple piconewton level forces. In prometaphase, these forces help in chromosome assembly or congression at the equatorial plane, eventually leading to their alignment at the metaphase plate. The forces acting on the chromosomes are space and time-dependent; therefore, they vary with the position of the chromosomes as the cell progresses through mitosis. 
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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.
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Probing The Structure And Dynamics Of Nucleosomes Using Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging
09:52

Probing The Structure And Dynamics Of Nucleosomes Using Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging

Published on: January 31, 2019

Active nucleosome displacement: a theoretical approach.

Laleh Mollazadeh-Beidokhti1, Farshid Mohammad-Rafiee, Helmut Schiessel

  • 1Physics Department, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.

Biophysical Journal
|June 3, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Motor proteins interacting with DNA nucleosomes are crucial for accessing genetic information. Different motor mechanisms exhibit distinct abilities in repositioning nucleosomes, impacting DNA accessibility.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Eukaryotic DNA is largely packaged into nucleosomes, which physically obstruct access to genetic information.
  • Nucleosome repositioning, essential for gene regulation, occurs through passive (thermal) or active (motor protein) mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a theoretical model investigating the microscopic interplay between DNA motor proteins and nucleosomes.
  • To elucidate the distinct nucleosome displacement mechanisms driven by different motor protein types.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical modeling of motor protein-DNA-nucleosome interactions.
  • Analysis of microscopic displacement mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • The study reveals that motor proteins, such as RNA polymerase, engage with nucleosomes on DNA.
  • Different motor protein types (Brownian ratchet vs. power-stroke) show varied capacities for nucleosome repositioning, despite similar performance under constant load.

Conclusions:

  • The mechanism of motor protein action significantly influences its ability to reposition nucleosomes.
  • Understanding these microscopic interactions is key to deciphering gene regulation and DNA accessibility dynamics.