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Related Concept Videos

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...
Euchromatin01:01

Euchromatin

The extent of chromatin compaction can be studied by staining chromatin using specific DNA binding dyes. Under the microscope, the dense-compacted regions take up more dye, appearing darker, while the less-compact areas take up less dye and appear lighter. Based on the compaction level, chromatins are classified into two primary forms – euchromatin and heterochromatin.
Euchromatin is the less dense region of the chromatin and stains lighter. Euchromatin contains histone H3 extensively...
Euchromatin01:01

Euchromatin

The extent of chromatin compaction can be studied by staining chromatin using specific DNA binding dyes. Under the microscope, the dense-compacted regions take up more dye, appearing darker, while the less-compact areas take up less dye and appear lighter. Based on the compaction level, chromatins are classified into two primary forms – euchromatin and heterochromatin.
Euchromatin is the less dense region of the chromatin and stains lighter. Euchromatin contains histone H3 extensively...
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.
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers
10:28

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers

Published on: September 20, 2018

Opening the Chromatin by eRNAs.

Ramin Shiekhattar1

  • 1The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

Molecular Cell
|September 17, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) are key to gene activation. Mousavi et al. show eRNAs are critical for muscle cell differentiation by improving DNA accessibility at key gene sites.

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Chromatin Extraction from Frozen Chimeric Liver Tissue for Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Analysis
09:26

Chromatin Extraction from Frozen Chimeric Liver Tissue for Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Analysis

Published on: March 23, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 7, 2026

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers
10:28

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers

Published on: September 20, 2018

Chromatin Extraction from Frozen Chimeric Liver Tissue for Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Analysis
09:26

Chromatin Extraction from Frozen Chimeric Liver Tissue for Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Analysis

Published on: March 23, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Gene Regulation
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their role in gene transcription.
  • The specific functions of eRNAs in cellular differentiation processes remain an active area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of eRNAs in the regulation of the myogenic differentiation program.
  • To determine how eRNAs influence chromatin accessibility at specific muscle-related gene loci.

Main Methods:

  • The study likely involved techniques to detect and manipulate eRNA expression.
  • Analysis of chromatin accessibility at the MyoD and MyoG loci was performed.

Main Results:

  • Enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) were found to play a critical role in regulating muscle cell differentiation.
  • eRNAs were shown to increase chromatin accessibility at the MyoD and MyoG gene loci, facilitating their activation.

Conclusions:

  • eRNAs are essential regulators of the myogenic differentiation program.
  • Modulating chromatin accessibility via eRNAs is a key mechanism for controlling muscle-specific gene expression.