Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

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.
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 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...
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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

KAS-CUT&Tag for direct mapping of transcription bubbles.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Superabundant microRNAs are transcribed from human rDNA spacer promoters insulated by CTCF.

Science advances·2026
Same author

RNA polymerase II: the elephant in the room.

Trends in genetics : TIG·2026
Same author

Cell-cycle-dependent repression of histone gene transcription by histone H4.

Nature structural & molecular biology·2026
Same author

An integrated view of the structure and function of the human 4D nucleome.

Nature·2025
Same author

Nascent CUT&Tag captures transcription factor binding after chromatin duplication.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

CD Spectroscopy to Study DNA-Protein Interactions
06:48

CD Spectroscopy to Study DNA-Protein Interactions

Published on: February 10, 2022

Centromeric nucleosomes induce positive DNA supercoils.

Takehito Furuyama1, Steven Henikoff

  • 1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.

Cell
|July 15, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Centromere inheritance relies on unique nucleosomes containing the histone variant CenH3. These nucleosomes induce positive supercoiling, unlike canonical histone nucleosomes, potentially explaining centromere stability.

More Related Videos

In Situ Nucleosome Assembly for Single-Molecule Correlative Force and Fluorescence Microscopy
05:58

In Situ Nucleosome Assembly for Single-Molecule Correlative Force and Fluorescence Microscopy

Published on: September 6, 2024

Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins
05:35

Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins

Published on: March 3, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

CD Spectroscopy to Study DNA-Protein Interactions
06:48

CD Spectroscopy to Study DNA-Protein Interactions

Published on: February 10, 2022

In Situ Nucleosome Assembly for Single-Molecule Correlative Force and Fluorescence Microscopy
05:58

In Situ Nucleosome Assembly for Single-Molecule Correlative Force and Fluorescence Microscopy

Published on: September 6, 2024

Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins
05:35

Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins

Published on: March 3, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Chromosomal Biology

Background:

  • Centromeres are crucial for chromosome segregation but their epigenetic maintenance mechanisms remain unclear.
  • Centromere identity depends on nucleosomes with the histone variant CenH3, replacing canonical H3.
  • Canonical H3 nucleosomes wrap DNA left-handedly, inducing negative supercoils.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the biophysical properties of CenH3 nucleosomes.
  • To determine the in vivo function of CenH3 nucleosomes in centromere inheritance.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of centromere maintenance.

Main Methods:

  • Reconstitution of Drosophila CenH3 nucleosomes.
  • DNA supercoiling assays.
  • In vivo studies using budding yeast minichromosomes.
  • Analysis of temperature-sensitive kinetochore protein mutants.

Main Results:

  • CenH3 nucleosomes induce positive supercoils, indicating right-handed DNA wrapping.
  • Positive supercoiling by CenH3 was confirmed in functional yeast centromeres.
  • This unique topology suggests non-octameric nucleosomes and available surfaces for kinetochore proteins.

Conclusions:

  • The right-handed DNA wrapping by CenH3 nucleosomes is a key feature of centromere identity.
  • The distinct topology of CenH3 nucleosomes may prevent mixing with canonical nucleosomes, ensuring centromere locus uniqueness.
  • This mechanism provides insight into the epigenetic maintenance and inheritance of centromeres.