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Chromosomes and chromatin

Explore the intricate world of chromosomes and chromatin, the essential components organizing genes inside cells. Learn about the structure, packaging proteins like histones, chromosome localization, and gene activation. Discover distinctive features and common characteristics of human chromosomes. Uncover the role of histones, nucleosomes, and higher-order chromatin structures in gene regulation. Delve into the effects of histone modifications and the interplay of chromatin with gene expression. Enhance your knowledge on chromosome painting, mitotic chromosomes, and chromatin structure dynamics.

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Chromosomes and chromatin

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  1. Chromosomes and chromatin

  2. Chromosomes organize and package genes inside cells • Bind packaging proteins to DNA to make it more compact. • Histones +DNA = chromatin in eukaryotes • Virion proteins in viruses • HU (?) or other proteins in bacteria • Loop chromatin and attach it to a matrix in nuclei

  3. Bands and specialized regions of human chromosomes Human chromosome 11: 125 Mb, 180 cM

  4. Human chromosomes, ideograms Mitotic chromosomes are spread and stained with Geimsa. Those that stain are shown in black. G-bands (more A+T rich).

  5. Human chromosomes, spectral karyotype Reagents specific to each chromosome. Chromosome painting.

  6. Identifying translocations http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disease/

  7. Distinctive and common features of chromosomes • Distinctive proteins and DNA sequences have been used to develop chromosome painting reagents. • Genomic DNA in vertebrates has long (megabase) stretches of G+C rich DNA, and other long stretches of A+T rich DNA • Called isochores • Virtually all this DNA is organized into chromatin, which has a common fundamental structure.

  8. Chromatin Structure

  9. Principal proteins in chromatin are histones H3 and H4 : Arg rich, mostly conserved sequence H2A and H2B : Slightly Lys rich, fairly conserved H1 : very Lys rich, most variable in sequence between species

  10. Histone structure and function

  11. Histone interactions via the histone fold

  12. Nucleosomes are the subunits of the chromatin fiber • Experimental evidence: • Beads on a string in EM • Micrococcal nuclease digestion

  13. General model for the nucleosomal core

  14. A string of nucleosomes

  15. Detailed structure of the nucleosomal core

  16. Higher order chromatin structure Histone H1 associates with the linker DNA, and may play a role in forming higher order structures.

  17. Alterations to chromatin structure are key steps in regulation

  18. Phosphorylation of histones

  19. Acetylation and Deacetylation of lysines in proteins

  20. Acetylation and Deacetylation of histones

  21. Effects of histone modifications • Highly acetylated histones are associated with actively transcribed chromatin • Acetylation of histone N-terminal tails may affect the ability of nucleosomes to associate in higher-order structures • The acetylated chromatin appears to be more “open”, and accessible to transcription factors and polymerases • HATs are implicated as co-activators of genes in chromatin, and HDACs are implicated as co-repressors

  22. Matrix and scaffold In interphase chromosomes, at least some DNA is attached to a matrix Mitotic chromosomes, with some DNA released

  23. Chromosome localization in interphase In interphase, chromosomes appear to be localized to a sub-region of the nucleus.

  24. Gene activation and location in the nucleus • Condensed chromatin tends to localize close to the centromeres • Pericentromeric heterochromatin • Movement of genes during activation and silencing • High resolution in situ hybridization • Active genes found away from pericentromeric heterochromatin • Silenced genes found associated with pericentromeric heterochromatin

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