Mechanical disruption of individual nucleosomes reveals a reversible multistage release of DNA. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • The dynamic structure of individual nucleosomes was examined by stretching nucleosomal arrays with a feedback-enhanced optical trap. Forced disassembly of each nucleosome occurred in three stages. Analysis of the data using a simple worm-like chain model yields 76 bp of DNA released from the histone core at low stretching force. Subsequently, 80 bp are released at higher forces in two stages: full extension of DNA with histones bound, followed by detachment of histones. When arrays were relaxed before the dissociated state was reached, nucleosomes were able to reassemble and to repeat the disassembly process. The kinetic parameters for nucleosome disassembly also have been determined.

publication date

  • February 19, 2002

Research

keywords

  • DNA
  • Nucleosomes

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC122302

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0037133348

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1073/pnas.022638399

PubMed ID

  • 11854495

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 99

issue

  • 4