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Structure and organization of chromatin fiber in the nucleus
Author(s) -
Li Guohong,
Zhu Ping
Publication year - 2015
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/j.febslet.2015.04.023
Subject(s) - chromatin , nucleosome , histone , chromatin remodeling , histone code , nucleus , microbiology and biotechnology , fiber , histone h1 , biology , biophysics , computational biology , chemistry , genetics , dna , organic chemistry
Eukaryotic genomes are organized hierarchically into chromatin structures by histones. Despite extensive research for over 30 years, not only the fundamental structure of the 30‐nm chromatin fiber is being debated, but the actual existence of such fiber remains hotly contested. In this review, we focus on the most recent progress in elucidating the structure of the 30‐nm fiber upon in vitro reconstitution, and its possible organization inside the nucleus. In addition, we discuss the roles of linker histone H1 as well as the importance of specific nucleosome‐nucleosome interactions in the formation of the 30‐nm fiber. Finally, we discuss the involvement of structural variations and epigenetic mechanisms available for the regulation of this chromatin form.