| Language: | English |
|---|---|
| Type: | Article |
| Authors: | Yuko Yoshikawa, Yuri S. Velichko, Yuta Ichiba and Kenichi Yoshikawa |
| Journal: | European Journal of Biochemistry |
| ISSN: | 0014-2956 |
| Volume: | 268 |
| Number: | 9 |
| Month: | 5 |
| Year: | 2001 |
| Actual year: | 2001 |
| Pages: | 2593-2599 |
| doi: | 10.1046/j.1432-1327.2001.02144.x |
| Abstract: | We report that complexes of giant DNA molecules with histone H1 proteins form a pearl necklace-like structure when the complexes are prepared by natural dilution from a high-salt solution (2 m NaCl) to a low-salt solution (0.2 m and 50 mm NaCl). We performed real-time observations on the conformational changes of individual T4 phage DNA (166 kb) molecules in bulk solution by fluorescence microscopy. To identify H1-binding regions on individual DNA molecules, we also performed immunofluorescence microscopic observations on the DNA-H1 complex spread on a glass surface. It was found that histone H1 binds DNA in a highly co-operative manner and is accompanied by local folding of the DNA. On the basis of the experimental observations and a theoretical simulation, we propose a self-assembling mechanism for the pearling structure. |
Yuko Yoshikawa, Yuri S. Velichko, Yuta Ichiba and Kenichi Yoshikawa, European Journal of Biochemistry, 268, 2593-2599 (2001)