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Human DNA is almost two meters long. However, it is compressed inside a tiny nucleus measuring only a few microns in diameter. To make this degree of compaction possible, DNA is organized into several sequential levels so that it can fit into such a tiny space. The most compact form of DNA is a chromosome that can be seen under a microscope in a dividing cell.
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Transcription through the nucleosome.

Tomoya Kujirai1, Hitoshi Kurumizaka1

  • 1Laboratory of Chromatin Structure and Function, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan.

Current Opinion in Structural Biology
|December 3, 2019
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Summary

RNA polymerases transcribe DNA within nucleosomes by overcoming histone-DNA contacts. This review details structural and biochemical studies on transcription elongation through chromatin.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Eukaryotic genomic DNA is organized into nucleosomes, the fundamental units of chromatin.
  • Nucleosomes package DNA tightly around histone octamers.
  • RNA polymerases must navigate these nucleosome structures for gene transcription.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review structural and biochemical studies on RNA polymerase transcription through nucleosomes.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms RNA polymerases employ to transcribe DNA within chromatin.

Main Methods:

  • Review of structural biology studies.
  • Analysis of biochemical assays investigating transcription elongation.
  • Focus on recent research findings.

Main Results:

  • RNA polymerases engage with nucleosomes during transcription elongation.
  • Specific mechanisms allow polymerases to displace or remodel histones.
  • Understanding these processes is crucial for gene expression regulation.

Conclusions:

  • RNA polymerase transcription on nucleosomes involves overcoming significant physical barriers.
  • Structural and biochemical insights reveal how chromatin facilitates or impedes transcription.
  • Further research continues to refine our understanding of transcription in chromatin.