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Related Concept Videos

Heterochromatin02:38

Heterochromatin

18.9K
The extent of chromatin compaction can be studied by staining chromatin using specific DNA binding dyes. Under the microscope, the dense-compacted regions that take up more dye are called heterochromatin. Heterochromatin is further classified into two forms – constitutive heterochromatin and facultative heterochromatin.
Constitutive heterochromatin: It is a highly compact region of chromatin that is mostly concentrated in the centromere and telomere. Unlike euchromatin, the amino acid at...
18.9K
Heterochromatin02:38

Heterochromatin

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4.8K
Euchromatin01:01

Euchromatin

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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...
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Duplication of Chromatin Structure02:05

Duplication of Chromatin Structure

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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...
7.4K
Chromatin Packaging02:21

Chromatin Packaging

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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...
22.5K
Chromatin Packaging01:32

Chromatin Packaging

19.8K
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: Feb 23, 2026

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

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Capturing Structural Heterogeneity in Chromatin Fibers.

Babatunde Ekundayo1, Timothy J Richmond2, Thomas Schalch1

  • 1Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland; Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva (iGE3), University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland.

Journal of Molecular Biology
|September 13, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers revealed chromatin fiber structure using crystal X-rays. This flat ribbon model, exposing histone and DNA, explains how nucleosomes form higher-order structures crucial for cellular processes.

Keywords:
chromatin structurenucleosomestetranucleosomes

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Area of Science:

  • Structural Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Chromatin fiber organization is vital for DNA processes like transcription and repair.
  • Understanding higher-order chromatin structure, formed by nucleosome interactions, remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the structural basis of chromatin fiber formation.
  • To investigate nucleosome-nucleosome interactions in higher-order structures.

Main Methods:

  • Determined crystal structures of tetranucleosomes at 5.8 and 6.7 Å resolution.
  • Utilized electron microscopy to analyze structural heterogeneity.
  • Employed site-specific chemical crosslinking to probe nucleosome interactions in solution.

Main Results:

  • Identified a flat ribbon-like chromatin fiber model with minimal intramolecular interactions.
  • The model is compatible with a two-start helical architecture, exposing histone and DNA surfaces.
  • Observed heterogeneous structural states and characterized diverse nucleosome-nucleosome interactions.

Conclusions:

  • The determined chromatin fiber architectures provide a framework for understanding higher-order structures in a genomic context.
  • Structural insights offer a basis for future studies on chromatin dynamics and function.