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Nucleosomal array condensation: new insights into an old "tail"

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dc.contributor.authorSorensen, Troy C., author
dc.contributor.authorHansen, Jeffrey C., advisor
dc.contributor.authorStargell, Laurie, committee member
dc.contributor.authorLuger, Karolin, committee member
dc.contributor.authorBailey, Susan, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2007-01-03T08:21:08Z
dc.date.available2007-01-03T08:21:08Z
dc.date.issued2011
dc.description.abstractThe DNA present within the nucleus of each human somatic cell, when extended end to end, would span a distance of about one meter. The first level of compaction critical to fitting the entire genome into the nucleus is the nucleosome, consisting of 147 base pairs of DNA wrapped 1.7 times around an octameric structure composed of the four core histones H2A, H2B, H3 and H4. Nucleosomes separated by up to 80 base pairs of linker DNA called nucleosomal arrays compact the DNA further through short range intra-array and long range inter-array contacts that generate different levels of higher order condensed structures. This dissertation investigates the involvement of the core histone "tail" domains as well as the influence of the H3 centromeric variant CENP-A in nucleosomal array condensation events. In vitro, 12-mer nucleosomal arrays condense intra- and inter-molecularly through nucleosome-nucleosome interactions driven primarily by the core histone tail. This dissertation details the contributions and the molecular determinants of the histone tail domains to the condensation processes. Importantly, we found that the H3 and H4 tail domains were the largest contributors to array condensation. The mode of action used by the H4 tail domain in intra- and intermolecular condensation centered on the following determinants: 1) position of the H4 tail, 2) amino acid composition, 3) positive charge density and 4) tail domain length. Importantly, the primary sequence of the H4 tail was found to not be an important molecular determinant. To date no study has been performed to determine short-range compaction between "bulk" H3 containing and H3 centromeric specific variant, CENP-A chromatin. 12-mer nucleosomal arrays containing either H3 or CENP-A histones were reconstituted and tested for their ability to fold intra-molecularly. Major finding include that CENP-A containing nucleosomal arrays assemble in the same stepwise manner as conical arrays and were always more compact than H3 containing arrays at every salt concentration tested. The increased compaction was found to be in part due to a lysine to arginine mutation at position 49 of CENP-A.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediumdoctoral dissertations
dc.identifierSorensen_colostate_0053A_10828.pdf
dc.identifierETDF2011400273BAMB
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10217/70654
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2000-2019
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subjectCENP-A
dc.subjectnucleosomal array
dc.subjectH4 N-terminal domain
dc.subjectchromatin
dc.titleNucleosomal array condensation: new insights into an old "tail"
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineBiochemistry and Molecular Biology
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

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