Higher Order Nuclear Structure in Mammalian Sperm Revealed by in Situ Hybridization and Extended Chromatin Fibers

1995 ◽  
Vol 219 (2) ◽  
pp. 604-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Haaf ◽  
David C. Ward
1993 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 551-561 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.J. Giannasca ◽  
R.A. Horowitz ◽  
C.L. Woodcock

We show that the mechanism by which chromatin displaying higher-order structure is usually isolated from nuclei involves a transition to an extended nucleosomal arrangement. After being released from nuclei, chromatin must refold in order to produce the typical chromatin fibers observed in solution. For starfish sperm chromatin with a long nucleosome repeat (222 bp), isolated fibers are significantly wider than those in the nucleus, indicating that the refolding process does not regenerate the native higher-order structure. We also propose that for typical eukaryotic nuclei, the concept that the native state of the (inactive) bulk of the genome is a chromatin fiber with defined architecture be reconsidered.


2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuela Moraru ◽  
Thomas Schalch

Abstract Nucleosomes cover eukaryotic genomes like beads on a string and play a central role in regulating genome function. Isolated strings of nucleosomes have the potential to compact and form higher order chromatin structures, such as the well-characterized 30-nm fiber. However, despite tremendous advances in observing chromatin fibers in situ it has not been possible to confirm that regularly ordered fibers represent a prevalent structural level in the folding of chromosomes. Instead, it appears that folding at a larger scale than the nucleosome involves a variety of random structures with fractal characteristics. Nevertheless, recent progress provides evidence for the existence of structural motifs in chromatin fibers, potentially localized to strategic sites in the genome. Here we review the current understanding of chromatin fiber folding and the emerging roles that oligonucleosomal motifs play in the regulation of genome function.


Author(s):  
Barbara Trask ◽  
Susan Allen ◽  
Anne Bergmann ◽  
Mari Christensen ◽  
Anne Fertitta ◽  
...  

Using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), the positions of DNA sequences can be discretely marked with a fluorescent spot. The efficiency of marking DNA sequences of the size cloned in cosmids is 90-95%, and the fluorescent spots produced after FISH are ≈0.3 μm in diameter. Sites of two sequences can be distinguished using two-color FISH. Different reporter molecules, such as biotin or digoxigenin, are incorporated into DNA sequence probes by nick translation. These reporter molecules are labeled after hybridization with different fluorochromes, e.g., FITC and Texas Red. The development of dual band pass filters (Chromatechnology) allows these fluorochromes to be photographed simultaneously without registration shift.


Author(s):  
Gary Bassell ◽  
Robert H. Singer

We have been investigating the spatial distribution of nucleic acids intracellularly using in situ hybridization. The use of non-isotopic nucleotide analogs incorporated into the DNA probe allows the detection of the probe at its site of hybridization within the cell. This approach therefore is compatible with the high resolution available by electron microscopy. Biotinated or digoxigenated probe can be detected by antibodies conjugated to colloidal gold. Because mRNA serves as a template for the probe fragments, the colloidal gold particles are detected as arrays which allow it to be unequivocally distinguished from background.


2007 ◽  
Vol 177 (4S) ◽  
pp. 596-597
Author(s):  
Joseph P. Alukal ◽  
Bobby B. Najari ◽  
Wilson Chuang ◽  
Lata Murthy ◽  
Monica Lopez-Perdomo ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document