Surprising Twists in Nucleosomal DNA with Implication for Higher-order Folding.

ABSTRACT: While nucleosomes are dynamic entities that must undergo structural deformations to perform their functions, the general view from available high-resolution structures is a largely static one. Even though numerous examples of twist defects have been documented, the DNA wrapped around the histone core is generally thought to be overtwisted. Analysis of available high-resolution structures from the Protein Data Bank reveals a heterogeneous distribution of twist along the nucleosomal DNA, with clear patterns that are consistent with the literature, and a significant fraction of structures that are undertwisted. The subtle differences in nucleosomal DNA folding, which extend beyond twist, have implications for nucleosome disassembly and modeled higher-order structures. Simulations of oligonucl

SUBMITTER: Todolli S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8380738 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature