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Related Concept Videos

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.
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.
Spreading of Chromatin Modifications02:25

Spreading of Chromatin Modifications

The histone proteins in the nucleosomes are post-translationally modified (PTM) to increase or decrease access to DNA. The commonly observed PTMs are methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination of lysine amino acids in the histone H3 tail region. These histone modifications have specific meaning for the cell. Hence, they are called "histone code". The protein complex involved in histone modification is termed as "reader-writer" complex.
Writers
The writer is an enzyme that can...
Duplication of Chromatin Structure02:05

Duplication of Chromatin Structure

The process of chromosome duplication during cell division requires genome-wide disruption and re-assembly of chromatin. The chromatin structure must be accurately inherited, reassembled, and maintained in the daughter cells to ensure lineage propagation.
The basic unit of the chromatin is the nucleosome, consisting of DNA wrapped around octameric histone proteins and short stretches of linker DNA separating individual nucleosomes. The histone proteins within the nucleosome have their...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

Deciphering High-Resolution 3D Chromatin Organization via Capture Hi-C
09:32

Deciphering High-Resolution 3D Chromatin Organization via Capture Hi-C

Published on: October 14, 2022

Pulling chromatin apart: Unstacking or Unwrapping?

Jean Marc Victor1, Jordanka Zlatanova, Maria Barbi

  • 1, Laboratory for Theoretical Physics of Condensed Matter, UPMC, 75005 Paris, France. mozziconacci@lptmc.jussieu.fr.

BMC Biophysics
|November 29, 2012
PubMed
Summary

The mechanical properties of chromatin fibers are explained by DNA stiffness and 3D structure. This research reconciles experimental data and simulations for gene regulation insights.

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

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 16, 2026

Deciphering High-Resolution 3D Chromatin Organization via Capture Hi-C
09:32

Deciphering High-Resolution 3D Chromatin Organization via Capture Hi-C

Published on: October 14, 2022

Imaging Replicative Domains in Ultrastructurally Preserved Chromatin by Electron Tomography
14:56

Imaging Replicative Domains in Ultrastructurally Preserved Chromatin by Electron Tomography

Published on: May 20, 2022

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

Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Understanding chromatin mechanics is crucial for gene regulation.
  • High-resolution measurements of chromatin fiber stiffness are available from single-molecule experiments.
  • Discrepancies exist between simulation and experimental data regarding chromatin structure and mechanics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantitatively link chromatin mechanical properties to structural cues.
  • To reconcile existing experimental data and simulation results.
  • To provide a clearer understanding of the physical rules governing gene regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Revisiting precise experimental results from reconstituted chromatin fibers.
  • Analyzing the stiffness of the DNA molecule.
  • Evaluating the 3D structure of the chromatin fiber.

Main Results:

  • The mechanical properties of chromatin fibers can be quantitatively explained.
  • The stiffness of the DNA molecule is a key factor.
  • The 3D structure of the chromatin fiber significantly influences its mechanical properties.

Conclusions:

  • The mechanical behavior of chromatin fibers is predictable based on DNA stiffness and 3D organization.
  • This provides a framework for understanding gene regulation at a physical level.
  • The findings offer a path towards resolving discrepancies in previous studies.