Structure and organization of chromatin fiber in the nucleus.
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.
National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China. Electronic address: liguohong@sun5.ibp.ac.cn.
Guohong
G
Li
National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China. Electronic address: zhup@ibp.ac.cn.
Ping
P
Zhu
D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002843:Chromatin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D002843:Chromatin; D004247:DNA
30-nm chromatin fiber; Epigenetics; Histone; Nucleosome; Nucleosome repeat length