Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 27, 2026
09:18
Photobleaching Assays FRAP & FLIP to Measure Chromatin Protein Dynamics in Living Embryonic Stem Cells
Published on: June 29, 2011
28.0K
Biophysics of Chromatin Dynamics
Beat Fierz1, Michael G Poirier2
1Laboratory of Biophysical Chemistry of Macromolecules, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland;
Annual Review of Biophysics
|March 19, 2019
Summary
Nucleosomes and chromatin dynamics regulate genome accessibility for DNA processes. Structural fluctuations expose DNA, enabling nuclear machinery access and controlling gene expression.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Biophysics
- Genetics
Background:
- Nucleosomes and chromatin are crucial for eukaryotic genome accessibility.
- They regulate essential DNA processes like transcription, replication, and repair.
- Conformational dynamics are key to this regulatory function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss dynamic processes in chromatin across various scales.
- To review current knowledge on the biophysics of chromatin structural transitions.
- To highlight the role of structural fluctuations in DNA accessibility.
Main Methods:
- Review of structural studies on nucleosomes and chromatin.
- Analysis of conformational dynamics and structural fluctuations.
- Investigation of chromatin dynamics over different length and timescales.
Main Results:
- Structural fluctuations continuously expose internal DNA sequences and nucleosome surfaces.
- These fluctuations provide transient access for the nuclear machinery.
- Detailed insight into local chromatin organization and dynamics has been achieved.
Conclusions:
- Chromatin dynamics are fundamental to genome regulation.
- Understanding these dynamics is key to deciphering DNA process control.
- Further investigation into the biophysics of structural transitions is warranted.
Keywords:
chromatinhistone octamerhistone posttranslational modificationshistone tailslinker DNAnucleosomestructural dynamicsMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:21Chromatin Packaging
22.0K
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...
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...
22.0K
01:32Chromatin Packaging
19.2K
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...
19.2K
02:21Chromatin Packaging
9.7K
9.7K
02:25Spreading of Chromatin Modifications
9.4K
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...
Writers
The writer...
9.4K
03:17Inheritance of Chromatin Structures
7.5K
Epigenetics is the study of inherited changes in a cell's phenotype without changing the DNA sequences. It provides a form of memory for the differential gene expression pattern to maintain cell lineage, position-effect variegation, dosage compensation, and maintenance of chromatin structures such as telomeres and centromeres. For example, the structure and location of the centromere on chromosomes are epigenetically inherited. Its functionality is not dictated or ensured by the underlying...
7.5K
02:35Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression
24.8K
Chromatin is the massive complex of DNA and proteins packaged inside the nucleus. The complexity of chromatin folding and how it is packaged inside the nucleus greatly influences access to genetic information. Generally, the nucleus' periphery is considered transcriptionally repressive, while the cell's interior is considered a transcriptionally active area.
Topologically Associated Domains (TADs)
The 3-dimensional positioning of chromatin in the nucleus influences the...
Topologically Associated Domains (TADs)
The 3-dimensional positioning of chromatin in the nucleus influences the...
24.8K