On the de novo formation of compact oligonucleosomes at high ionic strength. Evidence for nucleosomal sliding in high salt.
Histone H 1-depleted chromatin made from acid extracted, intact nuclei was exposed to various ionic strengths. NaCl concentrations above 0.3 M sufficed to generate novel oligonucleosomes formerly characterized as "compact oligomers" and "spacerless dinucleosomes". Such particles could not be identified within H 1-depleted nuclei or chromatin at low ionic strengths. Their formation, proceeding within days at 0 degrees C, was accelerated by increasing ionic strengths. The data was discussed in terms of a salt-induced motion of nucleosomal core particles along the DNA to form compact oligomers.
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002843:Chromatin / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006657:Histones; D007700:Kinetics; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009707:Nucleosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000032:analysis
D002843:Chromatin; D006657:Histones; D009707:Nucleosomes; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D012965:Sodium Chloride