Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

DNA Packaging

DNA Packaging

Genomic DNA in Eukaryotes

Genomic DNA in Eukaryotes

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.

Chromatin Packaging

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Emerging mechanomedicines informed by mechanotransduction along the integrin-cytoskeleton-nucleus axis.

APL bioengineering·2025

Same author

Timing of resting zone parathyroid hormone-related protein expression affects maintenance of the growth plate during secondary ossification: a computational study.

Biomechanics and modeling in mechanobiology·2024

Same author

Aging effects on osteoclast progenitor dynamics affect variability in bone turnover via feedback regulation.

JBMR plus·2024

Same author

The nucleolar shell provides anchoring sites for DNA untwisting.

Communications biology·2024

Same author

Cyclic Stretching Enhances Angiocrine Signals at Liver Bud Stage from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells in Two-Dimensional Culture.

Tissue engineering. Part A·2023

Same author

Age-associated reduction of nuclear shape dynamics in excitatory neurons of the visual cortex.

Aging cell·2023

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 14, 2025

Author Spotlight: Efficient Nucleosome Reconstitution for Single-Molecule Techniques

Author Spotlight: Efficient Nucleosome Reconstitution for Single-Molecule Techniques

Published on: September 6, 2024

Super-resolution imaging reveals nucleolar encapsulation by single-stranded DNA.

Koichiro Maki^1,2,3,4, Jumpei Fukute^1,3, Taiji Adachi^1,2,3,4

¹Laboratory of Biomechanics, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, 53 Shogoin-Kawahara, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.

Journal of Cell Science

|August 29, 2024

Summary

Nuclear bodies like the nucleolus are structurally maintained by a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) complex. This ssDNA complex, with histone H1, encapsulates the nucleolus, ensuring genomic processes are coordinated within the nucleus.

Keywords:

In situ imaging DNA–protein interaction Nucleolus Nucleus Single-stranded DNA Super-resolution imaging

More Related Videos

Imaging Replicative Domains in Ultrastructurally Preserved Chromatin by Electron Tomography

Imaging Replicative Domains in Ultrastructurally Preserved Chromatin by Electron Tomography

Published on: May 20, 2022

Author Spotlight: Visualizing Single-Stranded DNA During DNA Repair for Therapeutic Insights

Author Spotlight: Visualizing Single-Stranded DNA During DNA Repair for Therapeutic Insights

Published on: December 22, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 14, 2025

Author Spotlight: Efficient Nucleosome Reconstitution for Single-Molecule Techniques

Author Spotlight: Efficient Nucleosome Reconstitution for Single-Molecule Techniques

Published on: September 6, 2024

Imaging Replicative Domains in Ultrastructurally Preserved Chromatin by Electron Tomography

Imaging Replicative Domains in Ultrastructurally Preserved Chromatin by Electron Tomography

Published on: May 20, 2022

Author Spotlight: Visualizing Single-Stranded DNA During DNA Repair for Therapeutic Insights

Author Spotlight: Visualizing Single-Stranded DNA During DNA Repair for Therapeutic Insights

Published on: December 22, 2023

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Genomics
Molecular Biology

Background:

Nuclear bodies, such as the nucleolus, are crucial for genomic processes.
The nucleolus is essential for ribosome biogenesis, involving proteins like RNA polymerase I and nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1).
While liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is implicated in nucleolar formation, its structural maintenance within the nucleus is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the structural maintenance of the nucleolus within the intranuclear architecture.
To identify the molecular components responsible for the structural integrity of nuclear bodies.

Main Methods:

Super-resolution lattice-structured illumination microscopy (lattice-SIM) to visualize ssDNA distribution.
In situ digestion of ssDNA to assess its role in nucleolar structure.
Identification of ssDNA-binding proteins associated with nucleolar encapsulation.

Main Results:

The nucleolus is encapsulated by a molecular complex based on single-stranded DNA (ssDNA).
High abundance of ssDNA was observed surrounding the nucleolus.
Digestion of ssDNA led to nucleolar disruption and release of NPM1, confirming ssDNA's structural role.
ssDNA was found to form a complex with histone H1 for nucleolar encapsulation.

Conclusions:

The nucleolus's structural integrity is maintained by an ssDNA-based molecular complex.
This ssDNA-histone H1 complex provides encapsulation for nuclear bodies.
This mechanism is vital for coordinating nuclear genomic processes like transcription and replication.