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Related Concept Videos

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
Nucleosomes, paradoxically, perform two opposite functions simultaneously. On the one hand, their main responsibility is to protect the delicate DNA strands from physical damage and help achieve a higher compaction ratio. While on the other hand, they must allow polymerase enzymes to access DNA...
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.
Nucleosomes, paradoxically, perform two opposite functions simultaneously. On the one hand, their primary aim is to protect the delicate DNA strands from physical damage and help achieve a higher compaction ratio. On the other hand, they must allow polymerase enzymes to access histone-bound DNA during...
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...

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Updated: Jun 4, 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 structure(s) and stability: variations on a theme.

Andrew J Andrews1, Karolin Luger

  • 1Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1870, USA.

Annual Review of Biophysics
|February 22, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This review explores how nucleosome structure and dynamics influence DNA accessibility in chromatin. Understanding alternative nucleosome conformations is key to regulating gene expression and eukaryotic processes.

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Last Updated: Jun 4, 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

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

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

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Chromatin, a nucleoprotein complex, organizes DNA into nucleosomes, impacting DNA accessibility.
  • Understanding nucleosome structure is crucial for regulating eukaryotic cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review historical perspectives on nucleosome structure.
  • To discuss recent advances in nucleosome structure characterization.
  • To explore evidence for alternative nucleosome conformations and their role in chromatin dynamics.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of historical and recent studies on nucleosome structure.
  • Analysis of physical characterization techniques for nucleosomes.
  • Synthesis of evidence for alternative nucleosome conformations.

Main Results:

  • Perceptions of nucleosome structure have evolved significantly over 30 years.
  • New techniques offer enhanced physical characterization of nucleosomes.
  • Evidence supports the existence of alternative nucleosome conformations.

Conclusions:

  • Alternative nucleosome structures and their thermodynamics are vital for regulating DNA accessibility.
  • These conformations impact nucleosome and chromatin dynamics, influencing gene regulation.