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Template active chromatin structures: degradation by deoxyribonuclease I
Molecular Biology Reports
|June 1, 1977
Summary
Newly synthesized RNA in chicken embryos remains bound to residual chromatin after DNAse I digestion. This indicates RNA
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Chromatin structure plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression.
- Nascent RNA synthesis is a dynamic process within the cell nucleus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association of newly synthesized RNA with chromatin.
- To determine the fate of nascent RNA during DNA degradation.
Main Methods:
- Pulse-labeling of chicken embryos with [3H]uridine.
- Isolation and purification of chromatin.
- Enzymatic digestion of chromatin using DNAse I.
- Separation of residual chromatin from degradation products via centrifugation.
Main Results:
- Nascent RNA was fully recovered in the residual chromatin fraction after DNAse I treatment.
- DNA was extensively degraded into small polynucleotide fragments (≤80 base pairs).
- Prolonged incubation with DNAse I did not release the nascent RNA from the residual chromatin.
Conclusions:
- Nascent RNA exhibits a strong association with the residual chromatin structure.
- This association is resistant to extensive DNA degradation by DNAse I.
- The findings suggest a stable RNA-chromatin interaction during transcription or shortly after.