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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.
DNA Packaging00:58

DNA Packaging

Overview
DNA Packaging00:58

DNA Packaging

Overview
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...

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Updated: Jun 3, 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

Histone-based self-assembly into DNA-wrapped meso-clusters.

M Inoue1, S Tanaka, H Frusawa

  • 1Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Kochi University of Technology, Tosa-Yamada, Kochi 782-8502, Japan.

Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter : an Institute of Physics Journal
|March 18, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Histone proteins self-assemble into stable clusters, even without initial aggregates. Adding DNA reverses cluster charge, revealing nucleosomes and DNA-wrapped clusters.

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Last Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Assembly of Nucleosomal Arrays from Recombinant Core Histones and Nucleosome Positioning DNA
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Published on: September 10, 2013

Deciphering Molecular Mechanism of Histone Assembly by DNA Curtain Technique
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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:

  • Biochemistry and biophysics
  • Protein self-assembly
  • Colloidal science

Background:

  • Meso-cluster phases encompass synthetic polymer particles and protein aggregates.
  • Understanding protein self-assembly is crucial for biological processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the self-assembly of histone proteins into stable submicron clusters.
  • To explore the effect of DNA on histone cluster properties, including charge and structure.

Main Methods:

  • Centrifugation to generate histone clusters from supernatants.
  • Dark-field microscopy of electrophoresis to observe charge reversal.
  • Determination of critical nucleotide concentration for electrophoretic mobility changes.

Main Results:

  • Stable submicron histone protein clusters formed spontaneously.
  • Histone clusters exhibited charge reversal upon DNA addition.
  • Nucleosomes coexisting with DNA-wrapped meso-clusters were identified at specific DNA concentrations.

Conclusions:

  • Histone proteins can self-assemble into stable, DNA-responsive clusters.
  • This self-assembly mechanism contributes to understanding protein aggregation and nucleosome formation.
  • The findings offer insights into the meso-cluster phase involving biological molecules.