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Nucleosome Remodeling

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...

The Nucleosome Core Particle

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 Particle

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...

Chromatin Packaging

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 Packaging

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...

The Nucleosome

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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Probing The Structure And Dynamics Of Nucleosomes Using Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging

Probing The Structure And Dynamics Of Nucleosomes Using Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging

Published on: January 31, 2019

A quantitative model of nucleosome dynamics.

Robert A Forties¹, Justin A North, Sarah Javaid

¹Department of Physics, The Ohio State University, 191 West Woodruff Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1117, USA.

Nucleic Acids Research

|July 19, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a quantitative model for nucleosome dynamics, crucial for DNA processes. This model accurately predicts how the hMSH2-hMSH6 complex disassembles nucleosomes, offering insights into DNA repair mechanisms.

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Probing The Structure And Dynamics Of Nucleosomes Using Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging

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Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Genetics
Biophysics

Background:

Eukaryotic genome expression, replication, and repair necessitate nucleosome unwrapping and disassembly.
Nucleosomes are fundamental organizing units of chromatin, playing a critical role in DNA processes.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a quantitative model for nucleosome dynamics.
To provide a fundamental understanding of DNA processes involving nucleosome alterations.
To gain mechanistic insight into nucleosome disassembly by the hMSH2-hMSH6 complex.

Main Methods:

Development of a quantitative model for nucleosome dynamics.
Calibration of the model using single-molecule nucleosome unzipping experiments.
Testing model predictions against experimental data on nucleosome disassembly by hMSH2-hMSH6.

Main Results:

The calibrated model quantitatively describes hMSH2-hMSH6 induced disassembly rates for different DNA sequences and histone modification states.
The model provides mechanistic insights into the influence of histone modifications on nucleosome disassembly.
The model accurately predicts experimental outcomes for nucleosome disassembly.

Conclusions:

The developed quantitative model offers a fundamental understanding of nucleosome dynamics.
The model successfully explains hMSH2-hMSH6 mediated nucleosome disassembly.
This model has broad applicability for understanding various nucleosome alterations in DNA processing.