Abstract
In eukaryotes, genomic DNA is compacted in chromatin, which generally suppresses transcription, replication, repair, and recombination. The fundamental unit of chromatin is the nucleosome, whose structure was first determined at atomic resolution in 1997. However, recent findings have revealed that the nucleosome is not a structurally homogenous entity. Nucleosomes containing histone variants often have subtle but clear differences in their structural and functional characteristics, as compared to the canonical nucleosome. In addition to the conventional nucleosome structure, the structure of the overlapping dinucleosome, a new structural unit of chromatin, has been determined. Although archaeal chromatin adopts a unique polymer architecture, its structural unit is very similar to that of the eukaryotic nucleosome, suggesting that the archaeal histone-like protein is orthologous to the eukaryotic histones. In this article, we review the diversity of the nucleosome structures, which plays key roles in their specific functions in the epigenetic regulation of chromatin.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.