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Related Concept Videos

DNA Packaging00:58

DNA Packaging

Overview
DNA Packaging00:58

DNA Packaging

Overview
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.
Genomic DNA in Eukaryotes00:58

Genomic DNA in Eukaryotes

Eukaryotes have large genomes compared to prokaryotes. To fit their genomes into a cell, eukaryotic DNA is packaged extraordinarily tightly inside the nucleus. To achieve this, DNA is tightly wound around proteins called histones, which are packaged into nucleosomes that are joined by linker DNA and coil into chromatin fibers. Additional fibrous proteins further compact the chromatin, which is recognizable as chromosomes during certain phases of cell division.
Nucleic Acid Structure01:25

Nucleic Acid Structure

The pentose sugar in DNA is deoxyribose, while in RNA the pentose sugar is ribose. The difference between the sugars is the presence of the hydroxyl group on the ribose's second carbon and a hydrogen on the deoxyribose's second carbon. The phosphate residue attaches to the hydroxyl group of the 5′ carbon of one sugar and the hydroxyl group of the 3′ carbon of the sugar of the next nucleotide, which forms  a 5′ to 3′ phosphodiester linkage.
DNA Structure
DNA has a double-helix structure. The...

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DNA condensed by protamine: a "short" or "long" polycation behavior.

Adriana C Toma1, Marta de Frutos, Françoise Livolant

  • 1Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, CNRS UMR 8502, Universite Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France.

Biomacromolecules
|July 4, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Salmon protamine condenses DNA, causing phase separation even with excess salt. High salt conditions shift protamine binding behavior, suggesting DNA phase separation may trigger binding.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • DNA condensation is crucial for genome packaging.
  • Polycations are known to induce DNA condensation.
  • The role of salt concentration in DNA-polycation interactions is complex.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate DNA condensation by salmon protamine under high salt conditions.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of DNA condensation and phase separation induced by protamine.
  • To compare protamine's behavior to other polycations in different salt regimes.

Main Methods:

  • Centrifugation assay to study DNA condensation.
  • Light scattering measurements to analyze phase separation.
  • Varying salt concentrations to assess salt sensitivity.

Main Results:

  • Salmon protamine induces DNA condensation and macroscopic phase separation in high salt.
  • DNA condensation occurs with significant free polycations in solution.
  • A high power-law dependence (exponent 11) on salt concentration was observed, similar to small polycations.
  • Protamines exhibit small polycation behavior in high salt and large polycation behavior in low salt.

Conclusions:

  • Under high salt, DNA condensation and phase separation precede significant protamine binding.
  • The presence of a DNA-dense phase may trigger protamine binding, contrasting classical models.
  • Protamine's interaction with DNA is highly salt-dependent, showing distinct behaviors in different salt regimes.