Determinants of Chromatin Compaction

Electrostatics of Protein - Nucleic Acid Systems

Determinants of Chromatin Compaction

Chromatin is a complex of proteins and DNA found in the nuclei of eukaryotic cells. Its primary functions are to compact and structurally reinforce the DNA whilst keeping it accessible to DNA-binding proteins, such as transcription factors. The building blocks of chromatin are the nucleosomes, structures in which approximately 147 base pairs of DNA wrap around a histone protein octamer. Due to its molecular composition, its size, and its ability to influence gene expression and transcription through its dynamics, chromatin is an extremely complex system. Its intricate dynamics are tuned by both mechanical and electrostatic factors and by biomolecular interactions occurring in the cell nucleus [1].

Determinants of Chromatin Compaction part 2