Berlin 2008 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 2: DNA and Chromatin

BP 2.5: Talk

Monday, February 25, 2008, 11:30–11:45, PC 203

Time resolved access to linker histone/DNA structure formation — •Rolf Dootz, Heather Evans, and Thomas Pfohl — Max-Planck-Institut für Dynamik und Selbstorganisation, Göttingen, Germany

Linker histones H1 are of central importance in genome organization and regulation. Combining small angle X-ray microdiffraction and microfluidics allowed for time resolved access to H1/DNA interaction dynamics and structure formation on relevant molecular length scales. The observed X-ray patterns indicate that the interaction of H1 with DNA is a two step process: an initial unspecific binding of H1 proteins to DNA is followed by a rearrangement of molecules in the formed assemblies. Our results suggest that the conformational transition of H1 tails from their rather extended conformation in aqueous solution to their fully folded state upon interaction with DNA may be responsible for the conformational phase transition of H1/DNA assemblies. We believe those findings have a direct bearing on the understanding of chromatin fiber folding into higher order structures.