Chromatin
6933
221681069
2008-06-25T16:28:10Z
AndyWu
7334533
/* Basic Structure */
{{expert-subject|Molecular and Cellular Biology}}
'''Chromatin''' is the complex of DNA and protein that makes up [[chromosome]]s. It is found inside the [[cell nucleus|nuclei]] of [[Eukaryote|eukaryotic]] [[cell (biology)|cells]], and within the [[nucleoid]] in prokaryotic cells.
<ref>
{{cite journal
|author=Dame, R.T.
|title=The role of nucleoid-associated proteins in the organization and compaction of bacterial chromatin
|journal=[[Mol. Microbiol.]]
|volume=56
|issue=4
|pages=858–70
|year=2005
|month=May
|pmid=15853876
|doi=10.1111/j.1365-2958.2005.04598.x}}
</ref>
The major [[protein]]s involved in chromatin are [[histone]] proteins, although many other chromosomal proteins have prominent roles too. The functions of chromatin are to package DNA into a smaller volume to fit in the cell, to strengthen the DNA to allow [[mitosis]] and [[meiosis]], and to serve as a mechanism to control [[gene expression|expression]]. Changes in chromatin structure are affected mainly by [[methylation]] (DNA and proteins) and [[acetylation]] (proteins). Chromatin structure is also relevant to [[DNA replication]] and [[DNA repair]].
Chromatin is easily visualised by staining, hence its name, which literally means ''coloured material''.
[[Image:Chromatin Structures.png|thumb|360px|'''Fig. 1:''' The major structures in DNA compaction; [[DNA]], the [[nucleosome]], the 10nm "beads-on-a-string" fibre, the 30nm fibre and the [[metaphase]] [[chromosome]].]]
==Basic Structure==
Simplistically, there are three levels of chromatin organization (Fig. 1):
# DNA wrapping around [[nucleosome]]s - The "beads on a string" structure.
# A 30 [[nanometer|nm]] condensed chromatin fiber consisting of nucleosome arrays in their most compact form.
# Higher level DNA packaging into the metaphase [[chromosome]]....
These structures do not occur in all eukaryotic cells. Examples of cells with more extreme packaging are [[spermatozoa]] and [[avian]] [[red blood cells]].
During [[spermiogenesis]], the [[spermatid]]'s chromatin is remodelled into a more tightly packaged, compact, almost crystal-like structure. This process is associated with the cessation of [[transcription (genetics)|transcription]] and involves [[cell nucleus|nuclear]] protein exchange. The histones are mostly displaced, and replaced by [[protamine]]s (small, [[arginine]]-rich proteins).
It should also be noted that during mitosis, while most of the chromatin is tightly compacted, there are small regions that are not as tightly compacted. These regions often correspond to promoter regions of genes that were active in that cell type prior to entry into [[mitosis]]. The lack of compaction of these regiongs is called [[bookmarking]], which is an [[epigenetic]] mechanism believed to be important for transmitting to daughter cells the "memory" of which genes were active prior to entry into mitosis. This [[bookmarking]] mechanism is needed to help transmit this memory because transcription ceases during [[mitosis]].
==Levels of organization==
==History==
==During interphase==
The structure of chromatin during [[interphase]] is optimised to allow easy access of [[transcription (genetics)|transcription]] and [[DNA repair]] factors to the DNA while compacting the DNA into the [[nucleus (cell)|nucleus]]. The structure varies depending on the access required to the DNA. [[Genes]] that require regular access by [[RNA polymerase]] require the looser structure provided by euchromatin.
==Change in structure==
Chromatin undergoes various forms of change in its structure. [[Histone]] proteins, the foundation blocks of chromatin, are modified by various post-translational modification to alter DNA packing. Acetylation results in the loosening of chromatin and lends itself to replication and transcription. When methylated they hold DNA together strongly and restrict access to various enzymes. A recent study showed that there is a bivalent structure present in the chromatin: methylated lysine residues at location 4 and 27 on histone 3. It is thought that this may be involved in development; there is more methylation of lysine 27 in embryonic cells than in differentiated cells, whereas lysine 4 methylation positively regulates transcription by recruiting nucleosome remodeling enzymes and histone acetylases.<ref>
{{cite journal
|title=A bivalent chromatin structure marks key developmental genes in embryonic stem cells
|author=Bernstein, B.E., T.S. Mikkelsen, X. Xie, M. Kamal, D.J. Huebert, J. Cuff, B. Fry, A. Meissner, M. Wernig, K. Plath, R. Jaenisch, A. Wagschal, R. Feil, S.L. Schreiber & E.S. Lander
|journal=[[Cell (journal)|Cell]]
|year=2006
|month=April
|volume=125
|issue=2
|pages=315–26
|pmid=16630819
|issn=0092-8674
|doi=10.1016/j.cell.2006.02.041}}
</ref>
[[Polycomb-group proteins]] play a role in regulating genes through modulation of chromatin structure.<ref name= Portoso >{{cite book |chapterurl=http://www.horizonpress.com/rnareg|author= Portoso M and Cavalli G|year=2008|chapter=The Role of RNAi and Noncoding RNAs in Polycomb Mediated Control of Gene Expression and Genomic Programming|title=RNA and the Regulation of Gene Expression: A Hidden Layer of Complexity|publisher=Caister Academic Press|id=[http://www.horizonpress.com/rnareg ISBN 978-1-904455-25-7]}}</ref>
For additional information see [[Histone#Histone_modifications_in_chromatin_regulation|Histone modifications in chromatin regulation]] and [[RNA_polymerase_control_by_chromatin_structure#RNA_polymerase_control_by_chromatin_structure|RNA polymerase control by chromatin structure]]
====DNA structure====
[[Image:A-DNA, B-DNA and Z-DNA.png|thumb|right|300px|The structures of A-, B- and Z-DNA.]]
{{main|Mechanical properties of DNA|Z-DNA}}
The vast majority of [[DNA]] within the cell is the normal DNA structure. However in nature DNA can form three structures, A-, B- and [[Z-DNA]]. A and B chromosomes are very similar, forming right-handed helices, while Z-DNA is a more unusual left-handed helix with a zig-zag phosphate backbone. Z-DNA is thought to play a specific role in chromatin structure and [[transcription (genetics)|transcription]] because of the properties of the junction between B- and Z-DNA.
At the junction of B- and Z-DNA one pair of bases is flipped out from normal bonding. These play a dual role of a site of recognition by many proteins and as a sink for torsional stress from [[RNA polymerase]] or nucleosome binding.
<!--- Move to [[mechanical properties of DNA]] or [[Z-DNA]]? "===DNA structure===
[[Image:B&Z&A DNA formula.jpg|thumb|right|200px|'''Fig. 2:''' Alternative structural forms of DNA influencing chromatin structure]]
====Chromatin and Watson/Crick base pairing====
Crick and Watson's famous structure of [[DNA]] (called B-DNA) is only one of three possible structural forms (Fig. 2).
For the C-N bond between a base and its sugar there are two different conformations. The anti-conformation occurs in all A- and B-DNAs as well as in Z-DNA where a Cytosine is present.
In case of a Guanine Z-DNA takes the syn-conformation. The periodic change between a purine and pyrimidine along the strand of a Z-DNA accomplishes the alternating syn-anti-conformation characteristic of the zigzag structure of the Z-DNA helix. The yellow circles designated A, B, Z indicate the axes of the three possible types of DNA (Fig. 2).
[[Image:B&Z junction DNA.jpg|thumb|200px|'''Fig. 3:''' Structure of DNA with two B-Z DNA junctions: It encompasses 1. breakage of a hydrogen-bond, where a Guanine rotates around its glycosyl-bond and the sugar thereby transforms into its syn-conformation. 2. Rotation of the corresponding second base (Cytosine) involving rotation of the sugar around the sugar-phosphate-bond. 3. At the B-Z junction hydrogen-bonds remain broken and bases are extruded.]]
====Junction between B- and Z-DNA====
Chromatin regions near the transcription start site frequently contain DNA sequence motifs favourable for forming Z-DNA. Likewise, formation of Z-DNA near the promoter region stimulates transcription. Z-DNA is stabilized by binding specific proteins. Formation of Z-DNA from B-DNA is a dynamic process where B-DNA is the relaxed state. When a Z-DNA segment is formed two B-Z junctions form (Fig.3). The crystal structure of such junctions is known. At each junction the hydrogen bonds between a Watson/Crick base-pair is broken and the bases are extruded. Extrusion of a base from the helix is a well-known reaction performed by enzymes (i.e. DNA glycosylase) that edit or repair DNA during Base Excision Repair (BER). Crystal structures of extruded bases co-crystallized with Hha1 methyltransferase, human DNA repair protein AGT(O(6)-alkylguanine-DNAalkyltransferase), or bacteriophage T4 endonuclease V are similar to the extruded bases at B-Z junctions. Z-DNA may also provide a sink to absorb torsional strain following an RNA polymerase or a transient nucleosome. Also Z-DNA may represent a signal for the recruitment of RNA-editing enzymes. It is possible that chromatin encompassing Z-DNA segments also affect replication." --->
===The nucleosome and "beads-on-a-string"===
:''Main articles: [[Nucleosome]], [[Chromatosome]] and [[Histone]]''
[[Image:Nucleosome 1KX5 2.png|thumb|left|150px|A cartoon representation of the nucleosome structure. <small>From {{PDB|1KX5}}.</small>]]
The basic repeat element of chromatin is the nucleosome, interconnected by sections of [[linker DNA]], a far shorter arrangement than pure DNA in solution.
In addition to the core histones there is the linker histone, H1, which contacts the exit/entry of the DNA strand on the nucleosome. The nucleosome, together with histone H1, is known as a chromatosome. Chromatosomes, connected by about 20 to 60 base pairs of linker DNA, form an approximately 10 nm "beads-on-a-string" fibre. (Fig. 1-2).
The nucleosomes bind DNA non-specifically, as required by their function in general DNA packaging. There is, however, some preference in the sequences the nucleosomes will bind. This is largely through the properties of DNA; [[adenosine]] and [[thymine]] are more favorably compressed into the inner minor grooves. This means nucleosomes bind preferentially at one position every 10 base pairs - where the DNA is rotated to maximise the number of A and T bases which will lie in the inner minor groove. (See [[mechanical properties of DNA]].)
===30 nm chromatin fibre===
[[Image:30nm Chromatin Structures.png|thumb|right|200px|Two proposed structures of the 30nm chromatin filament. <br />Left: 1 start helix "solenoid" structure. <br />Right: 2 start loose helix structure. <br /><small>Note: the nucleosomes are omitted in this diagram - only the DNA is shown.</small>]]
The "beads-on-a-string" structure in turn coils into a 30 nm diameter helical structure known as the 30nm fibre or filament. The precise structure of the chromatin fibre in the cell is not known in detail, and there is still some debate over this.
This level of chromatin structure is thought to be the form of [[euchromatin]], which contains actively transcribed genes. EM studies have demonstrated that the 30 nm fibre is highly dynamic such that it unfolds into a 10 nm fiber ("beads-on-a-string") structure when transversed by an RNA polymerase engaged in transcription.
[[Image:ChromatinFibers.png|thumb|left|250px|Four proposed structures of the 30nm chromatin filament for DNA repeat length per nucleosomes ranging from 177 to 207 bp.
<br />
<small>Linker DNA in yellow and nucleosomal DNA in pink.</small>]]
The existing models commonly accept that the nucleosomes lie perpendicular to the axis of the fibre, with linker histones arranged internally.
A stable 30 nm fibre relies on the regular positioning of nucleosomes along DNA. Linker DNA is relatively resistant to bending and rotation. This makes the length of linker DNA critical to the stability of the fibre, requiring nucleosomes to be separated by lengths that permit rotation and folding into the required orientation without excessive stress to the DNA.
In this view, different length of the linker DNA should produce different folding topologies of the chromatin fiber. Recent theoretical work, based on electron-microscopy images<ref>
{{cite journal
|title=EM measurements define the dimensions of the "30-nm" chromatin fiber: evidence for a compact, interdigitated structure
|author=Robinson PJ, Fairall L, Huynh VA, Rhodes D.
|journal=[[PNAS (journal)|PNAS]]
|year=2006
|month=April
|volume=103
|issue=17
|pages=6506–11
|pmid=16617109
|doi=10.1073/pnas.0601212103}}
</ref>
of reconstituted fibers support this view.<ref>
{{cite journal
|title=An all-atom model of the chromatin fiber containing linker histones reveals a versatile structure tuned by the nucleosomal repeat length
|author=Wong H, Victor JM, Mozziconacci J.
|journal=[[PLoS ONE (journal)|PLoS ONE]]
|year=2007
|month=September
|volume=2
|issue=9
|pmid=17849006 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0000877 <!--Retrieved from PMID by DOI bot-->
}}
</ref>
===Spatial organization of chromatin in the cell nucleus===
<!--- Too speculative for an article: "[[Image:Nucleus & Chromatin Territorial Structure.jpg|thumb|200px|left|'''Fig. 4:''' Hypothetical Model of the Territorial Organization of Chromatin in the Cell Nucleus. The diagram (Fig. 4) represents a model of a cell (gray oval) with a nucleus (dark gray oval). Two chromosomes are shown as chromatin fibers (yellow and red lines). Proteins are represented as small ovals. Note the association of the chromatin components with the nuclear membrane. Chromosomes are territorially interlinked by chromatin protein complexes (scaffold proteins see above).]]" --->
The layout of the [[genome]] within the nucleus is not random - specific regions of the genome are always found in certain areas. Specific regions of the chromatin are thought to be bound to the [[nuclear membrane]], while other regions are bound together by protein complexes. The layout of this is not, however, well characterised apart from the compaction of one of the two X chromosomes in [[mammal]]ian [[female]]s into the [[Barr body]]. This serves the role of permanently deactivating these genes, which prevents females getting a '[[dosage compensation|double dose']] of relative to [[male]]s.
==Metaphase chromatin==
[[Image:NHGRI human male karyotype.png|thumbnail|220px|Karyogram of human male using [[Giemsa]] staining, showing the classic [[metaphase]] chromatin structure.]]
The [[metaphase]] structure of chromatin differs vastly to that of interphase. It is optimised for physical strength and manageability, forming the classic [[chromosome]] structure seen in [[karyotype]]s. The structure of the condensed chromosome is thought to be loops of 30nm fibre to a central scaffold of proteins. It is, however, not well characterised.
The physical strength of chromatin is vital for this stage of division to prevent shear damage to the DNA as the daughter chromosomes are separated. To maximise strength the composition of the chromatin changes as it approaches the centromere, primarily through alternative histone H1 anologues.
==Non-histone chromosomal proteins==
The proteins that are found associated with isolated chromatin fall into several functional categories:
* chromatin-bound enzymes
* high mobility group (HMG) proteins
* [[transcription factor]]s
* [[scaffold protein]]s
* transition proteins (testis specific proteins)
* protamines (present in mature sperm)
Enzymes associated with chromatin are those involved in DNA transcription, replication and repair, and in post-translational modification of histones. They include various types of nucleases and proteases. Scaffold proteins encompass chromatin proteins such as ''[[chromatin insulation|insulators]]'', domain ''boundary factors'' and ''cellular memory modules'' (CMMs).
==Chromatin: alternative definitions==
# '''Simple and concise definition:''' Chromatin is DNA plus the proteins (and RNA) that package DNA within the cell nucleus.
# '''A biochemists’ operational definition:''' Chromatin is the DNA/protein/RNA complex extracted from eukaryotic lysed interphase nuclei. Just which of the multitudinous substances present in a nucleus will constitute a part of the extracted material will depend in part on the technique each researcher uses. Furthermore, the composition and properties of chromatin vary from one cell type to the another, during development of a specific cell type, and at different stages in the cell cycle.
# '''The DNA – plus – histone – equals – chromatin definition:''' The DNA double helix in the cell nucleus is packaged by special proteins termed histones. The formed protein/DNA complex is called chromatin. The structural entity of chromatin is the nucleosome.
==Nobel Prizes==
The following scientists were recognized for their contributions to chromatin research with [[Nobel Prize]]s:
{| border=1 style="prettytable"
!Year
!Who
!Award
|----
|[[1910#Nobel Prizes|1910]]
|[[Albrecht Kossel]] (University of Heidelberg)
| [[Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine]] "in recognition of the contributions to our knowledge of cell chemistry made through his work on proteins, including the nucleic substances"
|----
|[[1933#Nobel prizes|1933]]
|[[Thomas Hunt Morgan]] (California Institute of Technology)
|[[Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine]] "for his discoveries concerning the role played by the chromosome in heredity"
|----
|[[1962#Nobel prizes|1962]]
|[[Francis Crick]], [[James Watson]] and [[Maurice Wilkins]] (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Harvard University and London University respectively)
|[[Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine]] "for their discoveries concerning the molecular structure of nucleic acids and its significance for information transfer in living material"
|----
|[[1982#Nobel prizes|1982]]
|[[Aaron Klug]] (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology)
|[[Nobel Prize in Chemistry]] "for his development of crystallographic electron microscopy and his structural elucidation of biologically important nucleic acid-protein complexes"
|----
|[[1993#Nobel prizes|1993]]
|Roberts and Sharp
|[[Nobel Prize in Physiology]] "for their independent discoveries of split genes"
|----
|[[2006#Nobel prizes|2006]]
|[[Roger Kornberg]] (Stanford University)
|[[Nobel Prize in Chemistry]] "for his studies of the molecular basis of eukaryotic transcription"
|}
==See also==
* [[Nucleosome]]
* [[Histone-Modifying Enzymes]]
* [[Chromosome]]
* [[Chromatid]]
* [[Salt-and-pepper chromatin]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==Other references==
* Corces, V. G. 1995. Chromatin insulators. Keeping enhancers under control. Nature 376:462-463.
* Cremer, T. 1985. Von der Zellenlehre zur Chromosomentheorie: Naturwissenschaftliche Erkenntnis und Theorienwechsel in der frühen Zell- und Vererbungsforschung, Veröffentlichungen aus der Forschungsstelle für Theoretische Pathologie der Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaften. Springer-Vlg., Berlin, Heidelberg.
* Elgin, S. C. R. (ed.). 1995. Chromatin Structure and Gene Expression, vol. 9. IRL Press, Oxford, New York, Tokyo.
* Gerasimova, T. I., and V. G. Corces. 1996. Boundary and insulator elements in chromosomes. Current Op. Genet. and Dev. 6:185-192.
* Gerasimova, T. I., and V. G. Corces. 1998. Polycomb and Trithorax group proteins mediate the function of a chromatin insulator. Cell 92:511-521.
* Gerasimova, T. I., and V. G. Corces. 2001. CHROMATIN INSULATORS AND BOUNDARIES: Effects on Transcription and Nuclear Organization. Annu Rev Genet 35:193-208.
* Gerasimova, T. I., K. Byrd, and V. G. Corces. 2000. A chromatin insulator determines the nuclear localization of DNA [In Process Citation]. Mol Cell 6:1025-35.
* Ha, S. C., K. Lowenhaupt, A. Rich, Y. G. Kim, and K. K. Kim. 2005. Crystal structure of a junction between B-DNA and Z-DNA reveals two extruded bases. Nature 437:1183-6.
* Pollard, T., and W. Earnshaw. 2002. Cell Biology. Saunders.
* Saumweber, H. 1987. Arrangement of Chromosomes in Interphase Cell Nuclei, p. 223-234. In W. Hennig (ed.), Structure and Function of Eucaryotic Chromosomes, vol. 14. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg.
* Sinden, R. R. 2005. Molecular biology: DNA twists and flips. Nature 437:1097-8.
* Van Holde KE. [[1989]]. Chromatin. [[New York]]: [[Springer Science+Business Media|Springer-Verlag]]. ISBN 0-387-96694-3.
* Van Holde, K., J. Zlatanova, G. Arents, and E. Moudrianakis. 1995. Elements of chromatin structure: histones, nucleosomes, and fibres, p. 1-26. In S. C. R. Elgin (ed.), Chromatin structure and gene expression. IRL Press at Oxford University Press, Oxford.
==External links==
* [http://www.chromatin.co.uk Recent chromatin publications and news]
{{Chromo}}
{{Nucleus}}
[[Category:Molecular genetics]]
[[Category:Nuclear substructures]]
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