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Related Concept Videos

Euchromatin01:01

Euchromatin

7.8K
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...
7.8K
Genomic DNA in Eukaryotes00:58

Genomic DNA in Eukaryotes

48.8K
Eukaryotes have large genomes compared to prokaryotes. To fit their genomes into a cell, eukaryotic DNA is packaged extraordinarily tightly inside the nucleus. To achieve this, DNA is tightly wound around proteins called histones, which are packaged into nucleosomes that are joined by linker DNA and coil into chromatin fibers. Additional fibrous proteins further compact the chromatin, which is recognizable as chromosomes during certain phases of cell division.
48.8K
Chromatin Packaging02:21

Chromatin Packaging

17.1K
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...
17.1K
Duplication of Chromatin Structure02:05

Duplication of Chromatin Structure

6.1K
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...
6.1K
The Nucleosome01:19

The Nucleosome

2.7K
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.
In a chromosome, DNA is wound twice around a protein complex called a histone octamer core, which consists of 8 histone proteins. This...
2.7K
DNA Packaging00:58

DNA Packaging

107.5K
Overview
107.5K

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 3, 2025

Assembly of Nucleosomal Arrays from Recombinant Core Histones and Nucleosome Positioning DNA
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Assembly of Nucleosomal Arrays from Recombinant Core Histones and Nucleosome Positioning DNA

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Fiber-Like Organization as a Basic Principle for Euchromatin Higher-Order Structure.

Amir N Zakirov1,2, Sophie Sosnovskaya1,2, Ekaterina D Ryumina1,3

  • 1Department of Electron Microscopy, AN. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|February 17, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study reveals that transcriptionally active chromatin forms a distinct 200nm fiber structure (chromonema). This finding supports hierarchical folding models for genome organization and gene regulation.

Keywords:
electron tomographyeuchromatinhigher-order chromatin foldingreplicationtranscription

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Imaging Replicative Domains in Ultrastructurally Preserved Chromatin by Electron Tomography
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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Understanding genetic material's structural organization is crucial for gene regulation during development.
  • Current models of genome spatial organization include the polymer melt and hierarchical folding concepts.
  • Chromatin structure heterogeneity complicates data interpretation, necessitating selective labeling methods.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and apply a novel method for ultrastructural analysis of transcriptionally active chromatin.
  • To investigate the higher-order structure of euchromatic genomic regions under non-destructive conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a modified replication timing-based metabolic labeling technique for chromatin.
  • Employed pre-embedding labeling compatible with 3D-Transmission Electron Microscopy (3D-TEM) and electron tomography.
  • Applied variable pulse durations to analyze chromatin structure.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated that euchromatic regions form a fiber-like higher-order structure, approximately 200nm in diameter (chromonema).
  • Provided ultrastructural evidence supporting the hierarchical folding model of chromatin organization.
  • Showed that transcription and replication occur on a highly structured chromatin template.

Conclusions:

  • The 200nm chromonema structure supports hierarchical chromatin folding models.
  • This structured template facilitates essential processes like transcription and replication.
  • The developed labeling method enables detailed ultrastructural analysis of active chromatin.