Direct imaging in a water layer of human chromosome fibres composed of nucleosomes and their higher-order structures by laser-plasma X-ray contact microscopy.
X-ray contact microscopy with a 300-ps-duration laser-plasma X-ray source has been used to image hydrated human chromosomes. Clearly imaged are individual nucleosomes and their higher-order particles (superbeads), elementary chromatin fibrils. c. 30 nm in diameter and their higher-order fibres of various sizes up to c. 120 nm in diameter. The results demonstrate that X-ray microscopy is now capable of opening a new path of investigation into the detailed structures of hydrated chromosome fibres in their natural state.
Kinjo
Y
Y
Radiation Biology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Isotope Research Center, Japan.
Shinohara
K
K
Ito
A
A
Nakano
H
H
Watanabe
M
M
Horiike
Y
Y
Kikuchi
Y
Y
Richardson
M C
MC
Tanaka
K A
KA
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods*; D008863:Microspheres; D008938:Mitosis; D009707:Nucleosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014867:Water; D014965:X-Rays
D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D009707:Nucleosomes; D014867:Water