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DNA Packaging
DNA Packaging
Introduction
Watson and Crick gave the DNA structure. According to their model DNA is a double-helical
structure with two polynucleotide strands that run antiparallel. Due to phosphate groups in the
DNA backbone, this double helix is negatively charged. The cell produces histone proteins that
bind to the DNA to counteract the negative charge. These histone proteins have a role in the
packaging of DNA. Continue reading to learn more about DNA packaging definition and why it’s
necessary.
DNA is a complex organic molecular structure that may be found in both prokaryotic and
eukaryotic cells and many viruses. It is a hereditary substance located in the cell nucleus
primarily responsible for conveying genetic information.
Core Histones
Linker Histones
The core histones are H2A, H2B, H3, and H4. An octamer is made up of two H3, H4 dimers and
two H2A, H2B dimers.
The DNA is locked in place on the nucleosome by linker histones, which can be released for
transcription.
Histones can be manipulated to modify how much DNA is packaged. The addition of a methyl
group to histones improves their hydrophobicity. This leads to very tight DNA packaging.
Acetylation and phosphorylation loosen DNA packaging by making it more negatively charged.
Histone methyltransferases are enzymes that add methyl groups to histones. Histone
acetyltransferases are enzymes that add acetyl groups to histones, while histone deacetylases
remove them.
Why are nucleosomes regarded as the most important component of DNA packaging?
A nucleosome is a DNA helix made up of 200 base pairs. Nucleosomes are the thread-like
stained (coloured) entities present in the nucleus that are repetitive units of chromatin.
Nucleosomes in chromatin look like beads on a string when examined under an electron
microscope (EM). During the metaphase stage of cell division, the beads-on-string arrangement
of chromatin is bundled to form chromatin fibres, which are then coiled and condensed to form
chromosomes.
For packing of chromatin at a higher level, an extra set of proteins, known as Non-histone
Chromosomal (NHC) proteins, is required. Euchromatin refers to chromatin areas in a normal
nucleus that is loosely packed (and stain light). Heterochromatin is the chromatin that is more
densely packed and stained black. Heterochromatin is inactive and has no transcriptional
activity, whereas euchromatin is active.
During the earliest packaging phases, the DNA is reduced to an 11 nm fibre, which represents
approximately 5-6 folds of compaction. Wrapping nucleosomes in a precise order accomplishes
this.