A structural perspective on the where, how, why, and what of nucleosome positioning.

TitleA structural perspective on the where, how, why, and what of nucleosome positioning.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsG Arya, A Maitra, and SA Grigoryev
JournalJournal of Biomolecular Structure & Dynamics
Volume27
Issue6
Start Page803
Pagination803 - 820
Date Published06/2010
Abstract

The DNA in eukaryotic chromatin is packed by histones into arrays of repeating units called nucleosomes. Each nucleosome contains a nucleosome core, where the DNA is wrapped around a histone octamer, and a stretch of relatively unconstrained DNA called the linker DNA. Since nucleosome cores occlude the DNA from many DNA-binding factors, their positions provide important clues for understanding chromatin packing and gene regulation. Here we review the recent advances in the genome-wide mapping of nucleosome positions, the molecular and structural determinants of nucleosome positioning, and the importance of nucleosome positioning in chromatin higher order folding and transcriptional regulation.

DOI10.1080/07391102.2010.10508585
Short TitleJournal of Biomolecular Structure & Dynamics