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Order and disorder in 30 nm chromatin fibers
Author(s) -
Subirana Juan A.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/0014-5793(92)80416-e
Subject(s) - chromatin , dna , histone , biophysics , histone modifying enzymes , prophase , condensation , globular protein , counterion , chemistry , solenoid , histone h1 , chemical physics , physics , biology , crystallography , biochemistry , ion , quantum mechanics , thermodynamics , meiosis , gene
The tendency of DNA to form fibers upon condensation with counterions is reviewed. It is shown that chromatin fibers may acquire a relatively constant diameter of about 30 nm simply as an optimal size achieved upon neutralization of DNA, without requiring a repetitive internal structure. Thus the size of chromatin fibers would not be determined by any specific spatial interaction between DNA and histones. The driving force for the formation of fibers in chromatin would be similar to that found in proteins when they acquire a compact globular shape.