Low-angle neutron scattering from chromatin subunit particles

Nucleic Acids Res. 1975 Nov;2(11):2163-76. doi: 10.1093/nar/2.11.2163.

Abstract

Monomer chromatin particles containing 140 base pairs of DNA and eight histone molecules have been studied by neutron scattering. From measurements in various H2O/D2O mixtures, radii of gyration and the average scattering density of the particle were determined. The radius of gyration under conditions when scattering from the DNA dominates is 50A, and when scattering from the protein dominates, 30A. Consequently the core of the particle is largely occupied by the histones while the outer shell consists of DNA together with some of the histone.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chickens
  • Chromatin / ultrastructure*
  • Erythrocytes / ultrastructure
  • Mathematics
  • Models, Structural
  • Neutrons
  • Scattering, Radiation

Substances

  • Chromatin