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Condensins

Condensins

Condensins are large protein complexes that use ATP to fuel the assembly of chromosomes during mitosis. They transform the tangled, shapeless mass of post-interphase DNA into individualized chromosomes by compacting, organizing, and segregating chromosomal DNA.
The plant and animal cells contain two types of condensin complexes—condensin I and condensin II. Both complexes have five subunits: two SMC (Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes) subunits, a kleisin subunit, and two HEAT-repeat...

Condensins

Condensins

Condensins are large protein complexes that use ATP to fuel the assembly of chromosomes during mitosis. They transform the tangled, shapeless mass of post-interphase DNA into individualized chromosomes by compacting, organizing, and segregating chromosomal DNA.
The plant and animal cells contain two types of condensin complexes—condensin I and condensin II. Both complexes have five subunits: two SMC (Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes) subunits, a kleisin subunit, and two HEAT-repeat...

DNA Packaging

DNA Packaging

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...

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.

Single-Strand DNA Binding Proteins

Single-Strand DNA Binding Proteins

For successful DNA replication, the unwinding of double-stranded DNA must be accompanied by stabilization and protection of the separated single strands of the DNA. This crucial task is performed by single-strand DNA-binding (SSB) proteins. They bind to the DNA in a sequence-independent manner, which means that the nitrogenous bases of the DNA need not be present in a specific order for binding of SSB proteins to it. The binding of SSB proteins straightens single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and makes...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

Synthetic Condensates and Cell-Like Architectures from Amphiphilic DNA Nanostructures

Synthetic Condensates and Cell-Like Architectures from Amphiphilic DNA Nanostructures

Published on: May 31, 2024

Nanostructure-induced DNA condensation.

Ting Zhou¹, Axel Llizo, Chen Wang

¹National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), Beijing 100190, PR China.

|July 11, 2013

Summary

Controlling DNA condensation is vital for gene therapy and chromatin structure. Nanostructures like nanoparticles and nanotubes effectively condense DNA, with environmental factors influencing the resulting structures, as observed via atomic force microscopy.

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Published on: April 12, 2021

Area of Science:

Biophysics
Nanotechnology
Molecular Biology

Background:

DNA condensation is crucial for packaging genetic material within cells.
Applications in nonviral gene therapy require efficient and controlled DNA compaction.
Nanostructure-based agents offer potential for precise DNA condensation.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the progress in understanding DNA condensation induced by nanostructure-based agents.
To discuss the influence of environmental factors on the structural characteristics of DNA condensates.
To highlight the role of atomic force microscopy (AFM) in observing these processes.

Main Methods:

Review of existing research on DNA condensation agents.
Analysis of studies utilizing atomic force microscopy (AFM) to visualize DNA condensation.
Investigation of environmental effects on nanostructure-DNA interactions.

Main Results:

Nanoparticles, nanotubes, cationic polymers, and peptides are effective DNA condensing agents.
AFM provides detailed insights into the structural morphology of DNA condensates.
Environmental conditions significantly alter the size, shape, and stability of nanostructure-induced DNA condensates.

Conclusions:

Nanostructure-based agents show promise for controlled DNA condensation in biological applications.
Understanding environmental influences is key to optimizing DNA condensation strategies.
AFM is an indispensable tool for characterizing nanostructure-mediated DNA compaction.