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In contrast to most eukaryotic cells, mature sperm cells largely use protamines to package their genomic DNA, most likely to achieve an even higher packaging ratio. [17] Histone equivalents and a simplified chromatin structure have also been found in Archaea , [ 18 ] suggesting that eukaryotes are not the only organisms that use nucleosomes.
This is a big task as the nucleus of a mammalian cell has a diameter of approximately 6 μm, whilst the DNA in one human cell would stretch to just over 2 metres long if it were unwound. [6] The "beads on a string" structure can compact DNA to 7 times smaller. [1] The solenoid structure can increase this to be 40 times smaller. [2]
Heterochromatin is a tightly packed form of DNA or condensed DNA, which comes in multiple varieties. These varieties lie on a continuum between the two extremes of constitutive heterochromatin and facultative heterochromatin. Both play a role in the expression of genes.
This is an accepted version of this page This is the latest accepted revision, reviewed on 12 January 2025. DNA molecule containing genetic material of a cell This article is about the DNA molecule. For the genetic algorithm, see Chromosome (genetic algorithm). Chromosome (10 7 - 10 10 bp) DNA Gene (10 3 - 10 6 bp) Function A chromosome and its packaged long strand of DNA unraveled. The DNA's ...
Eukaryotic chromosome structure refers to the levels of packaging from raw DNA molecules to the chromosomal structures seen during metaphase in mitosis or meiosis. Chromosomes contain long strands of DNA containing genetic information. Compared to prokaryotic chromosomes, eukaryotic chromosomes are much larger in size and are linear chromosomes.
In order to maintain genomic integrity, “homologous recombination and classical non-homologous end joining process” has been followed by DNA to be repaired. [32] The packaging of eukaryotic DNA into chromatin presents a barrier to all DNA-based processes that require recruitment of enzymes to their sites of action. [33]
A deoxyribonucleoprotein (DNP) is a complex of DNA and protein. [12] The prototypical examples are nucleosomes, complexes in which genomic DNA is wrapped around clusters of eight histone proteins in eukaryotic cell nuclei to form chromatin. Protamines replace histones during spermatogenesis.
The level of nucleosomal packaging can have profound consequences on all DNA-mediated processes including gene regulation. Euchromatin (loose or open chromatin) structure is permissible for transcription whereas heterochromatin (tight or closed chromatin) is more compact and refractory to factors that need to gain access to the DNA template.