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Related Concept Videos

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...
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.
Nucleosome remodeling complex
Eukaryotic cells have specialized enzymes called ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling enzymes. These enzymes...
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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images
09:42

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images

Published on: September 7, 2017

DNA methylation increases nucleosome compaction and rigidity.

John S Choy1, Sijie Wei, Ju Yeon Lee

  • 1Department of Physics, Bio-X Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA.

Journal of the American Chemical Society
|January 26, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

DNA methylation, an epigenetic mark, compacts nucleosomes. This study used single-molecule methods to reveal how methylation affects DNA structure and dynamics, offering insights into chromatin regulation.

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

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Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • Cytosine methylation on CpG dinucleotides is a crucial epigenetic modification in eukaryotes.
  • The impact of DNA methylation on nucleosome structure and dynamics remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of DNA methylation on the biophysical properties of mononucleosomes.
  • To elucidate the physical mechanisms by which DNA methylation influences chromatin structure.

Main Methods:

  • Implementation of a single-molecule biophysical technique.
  • Monitoring the structural and dynamic changes in mononucleosomes upon DNA methylation.

Main Results:

  • DNA methylation was observed to induce a more compact nucleosome structure.
  • Methylated DNA resulted in increased rigidity of the nucleosome.

Conclusions:

  • DNA methylation alters nucleosome structure, leading to increased compactness and rigidity.
  • These findings provide a physical basis for the role of DNA methylation in regulating chromatin organization and function.