Electrostatic interactions with histone tails may bend linker DNA in chromatin

Biopolymers. 2006 Jan;81(1):20-8. doi: 10.1002/bip.20371.

Abstract

Is linker DNA bent in the 30-nm chromatin fiber at physiological conditions? We show here that electrostatic interactions between linker DNA and histone tails including salt condensation and release may bend linker DNA, thus affecting the higher order organization of chromatin.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromatin / physiology*
  • DNA / metabolism*
  • Histones / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Models, Molecular
  • Models, Structural
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Nucleosomes / physiology
  • Static Electricity
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • Histones
  • Nucleosomes
  • DNA